In 2013-2015, 31.9% of adults in Hickman County age 20 and over reported no leisure-time physical activity. At the same time, only 69.2 children entering kindergarten are ready to learn. Physical activity, healthy local food choices, and early community literacy opportunities were strategically combined through the Story Walk experience. 

               The Hickman County 4-H, FCS, and ANR agents collaborated with the Family Resource Youth Service Center, Four River Counties Early Childhood Council, Farmer’s Market Vendors and Local Businesses/Organizations for the third year hold a Story Walk Event at the Hickman County Rotary Park.  The Story Walk involves parent/caregiver/child involvement as they read a story page by page around the walking trail, practices social skills by interacting with community businesses and visiting vendors under the Farmers Market.  Developmentally appropriate experiential learning activities offer the youth the opportunity to learn and play with their families.

               The event was attended by 80 people and of those 57 were youth ranging in ages from 1-11.  Thirty of the youth were in school, 27 were either in-home care or in preschool/childcare. Story Walk was supported by 21 volunteers.

               After attending Story Walk, 36 people said they planned on attending the Farmers Market after or during the event; 30 people said that this event helped them to gain skills to use in home literacy activities and as a result of this event, 28 people said they planned on increasing time spent reading and playing with their child.