{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Written by Rachel Beyer, Assistant UK Commissioner for Programme (Squirrel Scouts)","standfirst":"Calling all Squirrels. Grab your sleeping mats, pack your bags and put on your neckers, it\u2019s time for a sleepover!","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003ECalling all Squirrels. Grab your sleeping mats, pack your bags and put on your neckers, it\u2019s time for a sleepover.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESince January 2023, our youngest section, Squirrels, have been able to enjoy exciting Nights Away experiences. \u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESome of us might\u2019ve already had our first Night Away with Squirrels. However, it\u2019s important to recognise that taking the littlest Section away might be a little daunting.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESo, how can Nights Away with Squirrels be both feasible and fun?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019ve put together some top tips and inspiration to help you get started on a stress-free Squirrel sleepover or camp, however big or small.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/y2jbvabl/two-squirrel-scouts-using-grass-sledges-rolling-down-a-field-and-wearing-helmets.jpg","width":6000,"height":4000,"altText":"Two Squirrel Scouts using grass sledges, rolling down a field and wearing helmets","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOur 8 top tips\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1. Stay indoors\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s absolutely fine to sleep indoors and you can still have lots of fun. Remember, you can still sleep in tents inside!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou can plan different camp or outdoor activities for the evening by heading to a local green space or stepping outside your meeting place. You could host a scavenger hunt, go stargazing, play wide games or sit around a campfire circle.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou might want to bring the fun indoors, too. Some ideas include a calming fire-free campfire, relaxing movie night, or an exciting disco.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2. Go somewhere you know\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERunning your first night away in a venue you know can help make it less stressful.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA familiar place can help with the planning, and makes things, such as organising risk assessments, learning the fire escape routes or even just deciding where to eat, a whole lot easier.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could stay in your regular meeting place or go to a local activity centre that you\u2019ve been to before.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou might want to make a few visits and quickly looking around the venue in order to find out information about it, too.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3. Join up with another local Squirrel section.\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETeam up with another Section or Group for your first sleepover or Squirrel camp. It helps share out the planning and organising, as well as giving you extra support and double the fun.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou might want to go with volunteers who\u2019ve done a night away before or feel more confident. Or, maybe you could be the one helping another Drey with their first sleepover!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4. Bring in extra helpers\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETaking on some extra volunteers, such as parents and carers, a Young Leader, or other local volunteers, can help you make sure everything runs smoothly.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou might want to have a cook, a campfire builder, a yoga leader, or someone to set up sleeping bags.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemember, any adults joining a Night Away event would need the appropriate safeguarding and DBS checks in place, as well as any training, so make sure to plan in advance.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThere\u2019s also lots of ways people could volunteer from home, such as managing the budget or doing the food shop.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E5. Practise camp skills at your normal Squirrel sessions.\u00A0\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EBefore the big sleepover or camp, start talking about what you\u2019ll be doing and practise some skills at your normal sessions. This\u2019ll help everyone feel more prepared and confident.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou might want to have a go at sleeping bag rolling, plan a relay race to practise laying tables, learn to tie shoelaces, or help Squirrels try washing up.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/19245/squirrels-crouching-outside.jpg","width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"Three Squirrels in red jumpers crouch on the grass looking engaged while more Squirrels stand behind them.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E6. Keep talking to parents and carers. \u00A0\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe first night away from home can be a nervous time for parents and carers, as well as young people.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s important to keep the conversation open, relaxed and friendly. Keep everyone updated about what\u2019s happening, any changes, what they\u2019ll need and how they can help.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s best to host a parent and carer meeting, either or both in person or online. You can use the time to answer questions, talk about reasonable adjustments or run through a kit list.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou might also want to start a Facebook event or WhatsApp group to help keep everyone in the loop.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMake sure you have an InTouch system in place and complete consent forms, including for photography.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E7. Run a later and longer Squirrels session, but without the sleepover.\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPlenty of Squirrel Dreys have run longer meetings, where they do all the same activities, but without the sleepover.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThey have dinner, host a campfire, take part in crafts, wear PJs and sit in sleeping bags for bedtime stories, but then their parents and carers pick them up bring them back home to bed.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt gives the Squirrels some extended time away from home, as well as a chance to build confidence and provide new experiences. It can be a great stepping stone for a Nights Away with Beavers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch4\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E8. Remember the teddies!\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h4\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETeddies are an important part of any night away from home, no matter what age you are. Make sure you ask people to bring their teddy along, and you could even take a group teddy photo.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou might want to have some spare teddies, such as any Squirrel mascot you might have, for anyone who might\u2019ve forgotten their furry friend.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/21124/four-squirrels-sitting-on-grass.jpg","width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"A group of Squirrels playing Duck, Duck, Goose on a field","caption":"","link":null},{"type":"Promo","cta":"Read the nights away guidance","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECheck out our considerations for running a Nights Away event with younger sections safely.\u003C/p\u003E","link":{"name":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/nights-away-and-camping/nights-away-resources/nights-away-with-younger-sections/nights-away-with-younger-sections/","id":null,"url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/nights-away-and-camping/nights-away-resources/nights-away-with-younger-sections/nights-away-with-younger-sections/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":"#ffe627","title":"Safety and organising your Nights Away","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBe inspired\u00A0\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAre you tempted by a sleepover or Squirrel camp? Take a look at what this group in Darlington got up to on their first Nights Away experience for Squirrels.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"value":"https://player.vimeo.com/video/883936247","gridType":"embed","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"13 November 2023","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Find out more about Nights Away","url":"/volunteers/running-your-section/planning-your-programme/nights-away-and-camping/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"The Nights Away Permit Scheme","url":"/volunteers/running-your-section/planning-your-programme/nights-away-and-camping/nights-away-permit-scheme/the-nights-away-permit-scheme/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Discover more about Squirrels","url":"/squirrels/","newWindow":true}],"relatedLinks":[],"id":77400,"nodeName":"8 top tips for Squirrel Dreys to have their first Night Away experience","title":"8 top tips for Squirrel Dreys to have their first Night Away experience","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/20192/a-young-female-squirrel-is-smiling-and-walking-with-friends-holding-hands-shes-wearing-bunny-ears-and-holding-onto-a-cuddly-bunny.jpg?cc=0,0.08286069663272136,0,0.07344956691988216\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1db30f207d43c10","caption":"Squirrel smiling with teddy rabbit toy","type":"jpg","size":1150414,"width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"Squirrel in red jumper holding a soft rabbit toy wearing a crown and ballerina outfit"},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"8 top tips for Squirrel Dreys to have their first Night Away experience","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Calling all Squirrels. Grab your sleeping mats, pack your bags and put on your neckers, it\u2019s time for a sleepover!","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC83NzQwMCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2023/november/8-top-tips-for-squirrel-dreys-to-have-their-first-night-away-experience/"}