A Foothills group is helping kids connect with the dads, step-dads, granddads and uncles in their lives.

Dad's Central hosts a variety of planned activities on a drop-in basis, all aimed at providing a fun-filled outing for kids and their male role models.

Rhonda Longson, coordinator of Dad's Central for the foothills region, says the benefits of the program extend beyond the fun. She points out that the program has helped participants connect to community resources and has helped dads forge new friendships.

And, she says there are many proven benefits for kids who have strong, healthy relationships with the dads in their lives.

"Just overall good role modeling for kids, good connections with their brains in regards to problem-solving and staying in school," Longson says. "As they grow up and they've had that influence of men or dads in their lives, it's just a very solid attribute to kids, in general, to help guide them in good directions and give them good values."

Past outings have included firehall tours, mini golf games, and climbing wall events. There's another event scheduled for tonight (Wednesday, November 29) at the Crescent Point Regional Fieldhouse in Aldersyde. Dads and kids are invited to drop-in for the free-of-charge event, which runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be a bouncy castle for the younger kids and a Nerf Capture the Flag game for the older youth.

Dad's Central in the foothills is a Wildrose Community Connections program, funded by Family and Community Support Services in Okotoks, High River, Black Diamond, Turner Valley and the M.D. of Foothills.

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