New family activities are on offer at the seaside this year with Dorset Wildlife Trust. Sponsored by Rockley Adventure, Seashore Explorer back-packs bursting with activity ideas, equipment and information have been created for families looking for something to do when visiting the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve at Kimmeridge Bay.
Among the suggested ‘things to do’ are mini-beast hunting, seabird spotting, fossil rubbing and eco-crabbing, with everything provided to make things as easy as possible for Mum and Dad to keep the kids entertained. A rockpool-friendly crab line, seashore ID guides and magnifying bug pots are among the contents of the back-pack. Some of the resources are yours to take away at the end of the day while others are returned to be used again. A small hire charge covers the cost of replacing items.
Julie Hatcher, Marine Awareness Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “Even if the weather or tides are less than perfect on your visit to Kimmeridge Bay, there will be plenty to keep families busy for an afternoon with these brilliant Seashore Explorer back-packs. We are very grateful to Rockley Adventure for helping to get families involved with some of the amazing wildlife on our beaches.”
Poole-based Rockley Adventure are corporate members of Dorset Wildlife Trust, offering outdoor experiences to schools and groups and supporting initiatives which inform and educate about the natural world. Lis Gordon, director of Rockley Adventure, said: “We are delighted to be supporting DWT with their Seashore Explorer packs. This is a great idea which will inform, educate and entertain families about our wonderful wildlife on the Dorset coast. As outdoor activity providers ourselves, this was an idea we were particularly keen to see get off the ground and I’m sure the families who use the packs will have a lot of fun too!”
Visit Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Fine Foundation Marine Centre by the slipway in Kimmeridge Bay to hire your Seashore Explorer back-pack, which costs £5 to hire, including a crab kit and fossil rubbing kit to keep. The Marine Centre will be open during half term from 12 to 4pm, except for Monday. For more information visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk
