RSPB’s Big Wild Sleepout

Nature lovers unite! No matter what your age, prepare yourself for the best sleepover ever with the RSPB’s Big Wild Sleepout.

It’s time to spend some quality time outdoors with our furry friends. The RSPB will be urging everyone to devote a night among the wildlife for its annual Big Wild Sleepout.

Wherever you are in the UK, between 29-31 July 2016 the charity is challenging everyone to get out into our gardens, snooze among the stars and be at one with nature.

This will be the fourth year that families and friends are being encouraged to go on an adventure into the darkness to see what nocturnal wildlife there is on their doorstep. With long summer nights approaching, what better excuse to set up camp and watch the sunset and sunrise and really appreciate the outdoors?

Whether you want to pitch a tent, cosy up in a caravan or rough it in the elements with a just a blanket and a flask of hot chocolate, as long as you’re out in the open then that’s all that matters.

Likewise, where you camp can be as close to home as your backyard, or at one of the organised events at RSPB nature reserves/partner sites across the country, for those who are up for a guided tour jam-packed with wildlife.

From bushcraft and fireside cooking to stargazing and stories around the campfire, each event will involve a variety of activities. And if that’s not extreme enough then some of the more extraordinary Sleepouts will put you to the test.

Step back in time and camp out at a museum, sleep under a wind turbine watching out for shooting stars and global clusters with a variety of telescopes, at an indoor planetarium and a meteor roadshow!

Spending the night in nature’s home will be a chance to open our eyes to just how important it is to preserve and protect the wildlife we live with.

Therefore, those camping out can choose to donate money to help the RSPB ‘Giving Nature a Home’ campaign, which focuses on inspiring everyone to do their part for nature, wherever they live and however big their outside space.

James Harding-Morris, Big Wild Sleepout organiser said: ‘Nature is in trouble and by taking part in Sleepout and sharing your experiences with the RSPB, we’re getting a deeper understanding of the wildlife around us, as well as helping to give nature a home.

‘Our main aim is to get children and grown-ups connected to nature to help preserve it for future generations and what better way to do this than spending a night under the stars and getting to know the amazing animals around us that thrive in the dark?’

So, what’s stopping you? Wrap up, pack a blanket your binoculars and a torch and get out there. Join in, sleep out!

Sign up for a Big Wild Sleepout pack and register to take part!

Everyone involved will be invited to share their experience on the RSPB website and on social media using #BigWildSleepout.