There aren’t many ways to get closer to nature than by spending a night sleeping under the stars. There’s something pretty magical about being snuggled up in a sleeping bag in the pitch-black with just the night-time noises for company.
Here at RSPB NI HQ, excitement is building for a wild night out like no other! Our most popular family event of the year, Big Wild Sleepout, will take place on Saturday 22 July at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra, County Down.
Last year’s Big Wild Sleepout saw around 250 people pitch up and pitch in with a host of fun activities. In fact, it was such a success that the event was a finalist in the prestigious Ni4Kids Family Awards!
This year there’ll be something to keep all ages entertained, from nature crafts and mini-beast hunting to bat detecting and bush crafts. Stargazing sessions and a visit from wildlife rescuer Debbie Doolittle are sure to be a hit with the kids, as well as music and toasting marshmallows around the campfire.
The museum is the perfect place for families to try camping for the first time. Toilet facilities, 24-hour security and designated safe spaces to cook and camp mean you can get on with just having fun!
This is the fourth Big Wild Sleepout event we’ve held and it really is the highlight of our summer. To see families having so much fun and getting close to nature is amazing and all profits from the event go straight back into protecting wildlife in Northern Ireland.
Big Wild Sleepout tickets are priced at £20 for adults and £17 for children. Kids under four go completely free. Find out more and book your spot by the campfire now at www.bwso2017.eventbrite.co.uk.
All proceeds from Big Wild Sleepout will help to give nature a home in Northern Ireland. For top tips on helping birds and wildlife in your patch, visit www.rspb.org.uk/plan.