Scout and Guide Sleepout 12th March 2016 – Information Pack

Who are Bethany Christian Trust?

Bethany Christian Trust is a Scottish charity that helps in transforming lives and revitalising communities. Every year, Bethany supports over 7,000 homeless and vulnerable people to find, equip and maintain a home within their local community.

As well as meeting housing needs, since 1983 Bethany has been providing support to individuals and families to help them tackle long-term homelessness problems, including addictions, debt, unemployment and social isolation. Every £30 raised for Bethanyprovides another homeless person with a warm, safe bed for the night, a hot meal and good advice.

What is the Bethany Big Sleep Out?

Following on from the success of the Bethany Big Sleep Out, for the first time we’re hosting a Big Sleep Out, specifically for Scout and Guide groups. This is an organised charity event wherepeople are sponsored to give up their beds for a night and sleep rough, raising money to help homeless and vulnerable people in Scotland.

The event is being run in conjunction with South East Scotland Scouts and Girlguiding Edinburgh.

Event Programme

5.00-5.30pm / Groups arrive* and register
5.45-6:15pm / Opening event in main hall
6.15-7:30pm / Care Van providing soup and shelter building
7.30-9:00pm / Wide games
9.00-10:00pm / Campfire songs
10.00-11.00pm / Bed down and supper
6.30-7.30am / Bacon rolls/hot drinks
7:30-8:30am / Closing event
8.30am / Leave Heriots

*Please note that Scouts and Guides must arrive in uniform

Kit List

Survival bag (available from outdoor shops)

Sleeping bag

A groundsheet/thermarest/sleep mat

Warm clothing to sleep in

Full Change of clothes

Hat, gloves and scarves

Outdoor jacket/coat

Waterproof trousers

Torch

Thermos mug (with lid if possible)

Packed tea

Cardboard will be provided for the shelter building competition.

Please bring all items in plastic bags in a waterproof holdall or rucksack.

No mobile phones or other electronic items are permitted at the event. If you need to contact your child during the event you can do so by contacting their group leader.

Catering

Everyone should bring a packed dinner and a bottle of water/juice however hot drinks will be available throughout the event. Hot soup will be provided and served from the Bethany Care Van with groups being expected to queue for this as homeless people have to do. Hot chocolate and a snack will be provided for supper and a bacon (or vegetarian sausage) roll will be provided for breakfast.(The Care Van is a voluntary service operated by Bethany and Edinburgh City Mission. The van operates in the city centre at lunch time and at night offering Soup, food, hot drinks, clothing, friendship, encouragement and advice to homeless and vulnerable people struggling to survive on the street)

Health & First Aid

There will be Guiding and Scouting First Aid teams based in the staff room. Please make your group leader aware of any medication (this must be marked with your name and given to your leader upon arrival).There are male and female toilets but there are no shower facilities. Everyone will sleep in their clothes so be sure to bring extra layers and essential. There is indoor accommodation in the event of extreme weather.

Photo Permission

Photographs and videos may be taken and used immediately for event publicity purposes (e.g. social media). By taking part in the event you (and your parents) consent to this. If you have any queries you must contact your relevant group leader well in advance of the event.

Security

There will be a school janitor on duty throughout the event. Once everyone has registered the school gates will be closed. The wide games will take place in the school carpark and the sleepout will be in the quadrangle which is fully enclosed. There will be leaders on duty to ensure that no-one leaves the sleeping area during the night.

How do I raise money?

Once your group has registered you can start collecting sponsorship from your family and friends straight away by setting up an online fundraising page or by using our sponsor form. You can set up your page here:

The website helps you set up your own fundraising page and then all you have to do is email the link to your friends and family and they can donate.You can set up this page individually or as a group!

The more money you raise, the more homeless and vulnerable people Bethany can help!

You might want to organise some other fundraising activities such as bake sales, bag packing or even an event in your school such as an own clothes day. For more information and resources visit

Your friends and family can also make a £3 donation by texting ‘HOME SO’ to 70300

Please note that your group has pledged to raise a minimum of £10 per head through sponsorship of otherwise. The deadline for handing in any funds raised for the event is the 9th April 2016, which gives you plenty of time after the event to continue fundraising for Bethany!