With low literacy and kindergarten readiness being a significant issue in Bullitt County, the Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences held two Story path events to bring families together and encourage literacy.  The first event held in the fall marketed to the public through mass media efforts had 45 families and children attend.  Parents and grandparents brought their children to walk through a story path on "How to Grow a Garden", decorate a pumpkin, make some crafts projects relating to the story. A drawing was held at the end for 5 children to win a book to read. For the second event, the Extension Agent partnered with OVEC Headstart to offer a "How to Catch an Elf" Story path to over 50 families during a family fun night. Parent were able to interact with their children during the story path, create a holiday ornament and decorate a cupcake with something that helped catch the Elf. Door prizes of books and holiday crafts were given out.

Parents at both events continually expressed gratitude for an event where they could interact with their children, read to them and spend time with them.  They shared how much easier it was to read the book to their children when they did not have to struggle for the child to sit down and sit still.  

One parent expressed to the Extension Agent, "This is the best program we have ever been to.  We go to the library a lot but this was even better.  The story was great, the activities were age appropriate, you had a healthier food and my children loved it. We will be back to anything you offer!"  A grandparent shared how much they loved having something they could do with their grandchildren and how excited the grandchild was about the possibility of winning a book to read." 

Three weeks after the event happened, a OVEC Headstart teacher reported to the Extension Agent that the children were still talking about the book and how much fun it was.  They were asking when the next "Story" was going to happen. With the positive feedback from both programs, more literacy and kindergarten readiness programs are planned throughout the year.