In an article written by Dr. Danae Lund for Sanford Health, the exploration of the outdoors by youth and the presence of outdoor play creates five positive long term outcomes. 

1.  Physically Healthier Children
2.  Cognitive and Social / Emotional Development
3.  Improve Sensory Skills
4.  Increase Attention Spans
5.  Grow in Happiness and Immunity

These five areas were considered in the development and implementation of the Garrard County Creek Day. The program was offered to 25 total participants. Although the total number did not reach the maximum, the effectiveness and desired outcomes were quickly realized with the 10 total participants. The program was designed to introduce youth to local aquatic systems, the importance of biological assessments as a result of agricultural land use, and the importance of supervised unstructured play. The itinerary included catching and collecting biologically-significant aquatic invertebrates to determine health of streams, a lesson on fishing, observing and documenting reptiles, amphibians, fish, and freshwater mussels, and playing in the stream. 

The program was a collaborative opportunity between the Garrard County 4-H Program, using grant funding from a Kentucky 4-H Foundation Ag Mini Grant, and the Family Resource Youth Services Center. Of the 10 participating youth, 100% responded positively to post-program evaluative questions about seeing the connection between humans and stream health. 90% of participants had never collected insects from the stream and learned something new about aquatic invertebrates. 100% of participants want to continue to go to streams, with adult supervision, and play. 80% of attending youth had never fished in a creek before, but had been fishing before (lake). 

Future outdoor-focused programs are being planned based on the success of this program between Garrard County 4-H and the Garrard County Family Resource Youth Service Center.