The RSPB’s Big Wild Sleepout 9 -11 August 2013

Ever wondered what our reserves are like after dark? Now’s your chance to find out. For the first time ever, the RSPB is opening its doors to host the ultimate sleepout experience. We’ve organised a fabulous range of events across the UK – many are actual sleepovers with planned activities. Some events are night-themed – exploring the wonderful world of the night, from night safaris to shelter building.

The sleepout events are part of the RSPB’s first ever Big Wild Sleepout, encouraging the nation to get outdoors and discover a secret night-time world on their doorstep.

Get acquainted with all that flaps, snuffles and crawls and look out for owls, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, moths and bats.

If you can’t join the RSPB at a sleepover event don’t worry. Pitch a tent in your garden or sleep under the stars. If you don’t even want to venture outside, how about bringing your mattress down and sleeping on the floor near patio doors or balconies.

People taking part can find a whole host of easy and fun activities to get involved in. From building your own dens and midnight feasts to torch light safaris and bug hunting, the RSPB is providing lots of information and activities to get the most out of your sleepout.  Just visit the RSPB website, www.rspb.org.uk/sleepout

You can also help the RSPB to give nature a home by getting your sleepouts sponsored by friends and family.

The Big Wild Sleepout is supported by Blacks, the outdoor retailer.

Here’s details of the events taking place in Suffolk as part of the Big Wild Sleepout. For a full events listing, visit: www.rspb.org.uk/sleepout

Big Wild Sleepout – Sunrise over the sea, RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk

Friday 9 August

5 pm till 10 am on Saturday

Price: £140 per tent (up to four people) for RSPB members, £180 per tent for non members

A unique opportunity to camp at Minsmere as part of the RSPB’s Big Wild Sleep Out. After pitching your tent near Minsmere sluice, we’ll light a campfire and drink hot chocolate, then see which moths are attracted to our special light traps. We’ll awake before dawn on Saturday to experience the wonderful sight of the sun rising over the sea followed by a short guided walk and a light breakfast in the cafe. Cost: £140 per tent for RSPB members, £180 per tent for non members. Note: maximum four people per tent and low-ridge tents advisable. Advance booking essential. Please note that the details of this event are subject to change in the event of bad weather.

Booking essential: Telephone: 01728 648281, E-mail: [email protected]

 

Big Wild Sleepout: Family Event, RSPB Havergate Island, Suffolk

Saturday 10 August

This is an event over two days! You have the choice to take the boat at 2 or 3:30pm on Saturday; we will stay overnight on Havergate Island and the boat will return to Orford Quay at 9:20 or 10:20am on Sunday.

Price: £100 for up to five, as part of a RSPB family membership; non member rate: £150 for a family with up to five persons. The price includes the admission to the reserve and to all activities, the boat trip and the breakfast in the morning.

For one night only, as part of the RSPB’s Big Wild Sleepout we’re giving families the chance to camp out in the wild on the unique Havergate Island reserve.

• Bring your own tent for the night and your food and drinks for Saturday afternoon and evening.

• Use our barbeque grill; we will set it up for you to use.

• Enjoy Jordans cereals with milk and warm drinks (tea, coffee and hot chocolate) on Sunday morning.

 

Join our programme of exciting activities including:

• Get photography advice by Kevin Sawford, www.kevinsawford.com, aimed especially at beginners with compact cameras.

• Have a try with star gazing through our RSPB telescopes and with the help of smart phone apps. You will have to bring your phone and we are pleased to write, that the island receives good connections by most mobile phone operators.

• Design your own island with the support of Liza Adamczewski, our Artist in Residence.

• Follow our ‘Hare Trail’ and play some other games with us.

• Learn about moth trapping and help us with the moth identification in the morning.

• Discover and identify very unusual plants in the saltmarsh on Havergate Island.

• Join our dusk guided walk watching the flocks of waders come in to roost on the lagoons before you crawl into your own tent for the night as well.

Booking essential. For more information or to book your space please contact Monika, the South Suffolk Reserves Events Officer, on [email protected] or text or ring her on 07766 388005.

 

The Big Wild Sleepout, RSPB Lakenheath, Suffolk

Friday 9 August

7pm

Price: £6 per tent. Adult £8, children £4 (RSPB & Wildlife Explorers members half price). Price includes breakfast.

Come and join us for the RSPB’s Big Wild Sleep Out. We will camp out under the stars and discover what goes bump in the night here at RSPB Lakenheath Fen. Don’t forget your tent!

Booking essential: Telephone: 01842 863400, E-mail: [email protected]