In efforts to reach underserved audiences and provide them with information and activities to keep their families engaged in physical activity and spending time together, the Bell County Extension Service hosted  three family day out events along with storybook walks in two local parks in our county. Studies from the Cabinet for Health and Services show that 79% of children do not exercise the amount required weekly.

     To get families outdoors and moving, the Bell County Extension Service partnered with other program areas such as SNAP, 4-H and Ag, Innovative Approaches to Literacy, Pineville City Parks and Recreation, the Bell County Health Department, Bluegrass Care Navigators, Americore and AppalRed to provide them with opportunities to visit a newly constructed park in the Newtown area and Fords Woods Parks. Families participated in physical activities and other hands on experiences related to the storybook walk, set up along the walking trail.

     30 families with children ages 6 months to 13 years old took part in the storybook walk (Surprise Garden/LEAP, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Leaf Hunt), making their own window sill garden, exercising with Wally Cat, and trying a healthy fruit snack. A total of 121 people attended this event and took part in our evaluation.

               Results showed:

• 90% of those surveyed said, this was their first time attending an Extension event and would attend more because of this program.
• 100% stated that because of the storybook walk, they would read more with their children.
• 100% of participants will now visit more local parks to get their daily physical activity in as a family.

Due to positive feedback from this event, other Family Day Out events will be held in the future.