DADS who go down to the woods next week will be in for a treat.

Fathers, granddads, uncles and other male carers of young children are invited to take part in a special ‘SaturDADS’ day at Thorncombe Woods on Saturday, December 14.

Dorchester Children’s Centre runs ‘SaturDADS’ activities on the second and fourth Saturday of each month between 10.30am and 12.00pm at Dorchester Children’s Centre, Poundbury.

SaturDADS days include regular visits to the woods, joining up with the Dorset Forest School where participants get involved with outdoor activities such as fire building, wreath making and felt crafts.

On the next Saturday event, a number of children’s centres will be joining the Dorset Forest School for fun and games in the woods with mince pies and soup for snacks.

The focus is on dads, grandfathers or male carers getting together with their children and having fun.

Fiona Evans, activity worker at the Children’s Centre said: “Forest School activities give children the opportunity to learn about nature and wildlife in a natural outdoor environment.

“There is time in each session for children to explore, learn and play in our woods with their dads, grandfathers or carers.”

Cabinet member for Children’s Services at Dorset County Council Rebecca Knox said: “The inclusion of male role models in the lives of young children is of utmost importance.

“Children need strong male role models and the SaturDADS group is all about getting dads, granddads or uncles and other male carers together with their children and enjoying the great outdoors.”

To book your place on the special ‘SaturDADS Day’ on December 14, or for further information about Dorchester Children’s Centre call Fiona Evans on 01305 221348 or visit www.dorsetforyou.com/childrenscentres/dorchester SaturDADs also runs at Bridport and Sherborne Children’s Centres on a fortnightly basis.

For further information contact those centres directly for more details.