The Great Guide Sleepover

Get excited for one of the most highly anticipated Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT events!

The Great Guide Sleepover is one of the most highly anticipated Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT events. The first sleepover was held in 1996 on the steps of the Opera House to raise awareness and funds for homeless communities.
 
Since then, the Sleepover has become a tradition, moving locations over the years but always funding a cause for the community. Now in its 29th year we continue to support Taronga Zoo and Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT through this fundraiser with an eventful evening of sleeping under the stars, Guiding, animals, movies, dancing and more. We will be hosting this event in Sydney at Taronga Zoo, in Dubbo at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, & in Alice Springs at the Desert Wildlife Park. 
 
This year there are 2 causes to fundraise for: 
Sydney and Dubbo: Taronga Wildlife Hostpital 
Alice Springs: The Mala! 
 
Donations received by online fundraising will remain open through the event, however please check the individual grassroots fundraising pages for specific cut off dates for fundraising amounts for prize consideration.

Promotional Resources for Leaders     

Leaders, you will need your firstname.lastname@girlguides 0365 login
to access the promotional resources above! See here for help!

When
Dubbo
Saturday 19 August to Sunday 20 August 2023 

Alice Springs & Sydney
Saturday 26 August to Sunday 27 August 2023

Registration opens Saturday at 4pm. The event begins at 6pm and continues until 9am on Sunday with a ticket to spend the day at the zoo on Sunday.

Where

  • Taronga Zoo Sydney, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman NSW
  • Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Obley Road, Dubbo NSW
  • Alice Springs Desert Park, Alice Springs NT 

Who

Sydney and Dubbo
Guides in a Guide Unit aged 10+, Olaves, Leaders, and Adult Helpers
This is not a Junior Guide Event. Any Junior Guides that register will be issued a refund.

Alice Springs
Members ages 5+, Pre Junior Guides, Junior Guides, Guides, Senior Guides, Adult Members and Adult Helpers.




Each location will have their own dedicated programs which will be shared closer to the event. However, here is what you can expect!

 

Saturday 

  • Interactive and engaging stations on arrival
  • Registration check in
  • Collection of wristband & event badge!
  • After hours entry in the Zoo and Wildlife Park
  • Delicious dinner (NB: The Sydney location is self-catered)
  • Presentation of fundraising prizes
  • Dance Party!
  • Moonlit cinema
  • Sleeping under the stars

Sunday 

  • Rise and shine by the surrounding animal calls 
  • Breakfast (NB: The Sydney & Alice Springs locations and self-catered) 
  • Exclusive animal experiences just for Girl Guides! 
  • Say goodbye...either stay to explore the Zoo and Wildlife Park some more, or head home

Each location will have their own specific kit list but for now here is a list of essential items that you will need at all locations.

Equipment

Make sure to have your name written on all items. 
Ensure that you pack as small as possible.

  • Hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Torch
  • Insect repellent
  • Themed outfit (if you choose)
  • ADM.27 or ADM.28 to hand in at registration and to give to your Unit Leader

Dress

Participants are encouraged to dress to the Great Guide Sleepover theme for Saturday night but this is not compulsory. At all other times Girl Guide uniform should be worn.  

Food 

Dubbo: Dinner and breakfast will be provided. You may like to bring some snacks for the movie. Please do not bring anything in single use packaging.
Alice Springs: Dinner will be provided. Please brink snacks and your breakfast. Please do not bring anything in single use packaging.
Sydney: Bring Your Own (BYO) dinner, supper and Sunday breakfast! Hot water will be available for noodles, soups etc. Pack light and do not bring any single use packaging.

Forms

All participants must bring two copies of completed ADM.27 for Youth  or ADM.28 for Adults   to the event. One copy is to be handed in at registration and the other copy is to be given to your Leader.

IMPORTANT: If you are attending the SYDNEY event your luggage must have NO WHEELS! You must be able to carry your bag and bedroll off the ground from the top of the zoo to the bottom of the zoo.


 

2023 Fundraising Information

In 2023, we're raising vital funds for two very important causes: Taronga and Western Plains Zoo Wildlife Hospitals, and the mala! 

Alice Springs: Help save the mala!
Did you know in the early 1990s, the mala was almost completely wiped out? Due to habitat degradation, reduction in Indigenous Aboriginal burning practices and the threat of foxes and cats, the mala population was at a dangerous level. Since then, considerable effort has been made to shield this animal from extinction and with huge success!

This year, help raise important funds to continue conservation efforts and keep the mala population at a stable, sustainable level. 

Sydney and Dubbo: Fundraise for Taronga Wildlife Hospital!
Help make continued conservation, preservation and education a reality! Taronga and Western Plains Wildlife Hospitals are responsible for maintaining the health of close to 1,500 wildlife cases every year.

GGS Dubbo Fundraiser    

GGS Sydney Fundraiser    

GGS Alice Springs Fundraiser     

Read this about fundraising for GGS!

Fundraising tips

Fundraising doesn’t have to be difficult. So follow these ten simple tips for success, and feel free to reach out to us at any time so we can help with your fundraising journey.
  1. Start your fundraising early.
  2. Once you create your Grassrootz fundraising page, share it. Keep your supporters engaged by regularly posting pictures and updates on your activities.
  3. Update your email signature and social media bio’s to include information about Girl Guides and your fundraising campaign.
    4. You can use social media* to help your campaign and also provide more information about your fundraising focus. Download social media badges and graphics under the resources section.
  4. Ask your family, friends, teachers, and neighbours for their support. Share your fundraising page, let them know what you are fundraising for and keep them updated on how you are progressing to reach your goal.
  5. Draw up a list of your potential donors and approach them for their support (consider businesses in your committee or work colleagues).
  6. Always ensure you are with a friend or responsible adult at all times.
  7. Work in your Unit as a fundraising team. Teams are truly a great way to get others involved, have fun, and access a wider pool of resources and networks.
  8. Make a donation yourself to set the expectation. If you have a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary or christening, ask your friends to donate to your fundraiser instead of buying a gift.
  9. Be cheerful, courteous and don’t forget to say thank you. Thank your supporters in person, via email or with a card and let them know how much you raised.
  10. Have Fun!
*  Ask your parents to share your link on their social media accounts. If you’re old enough and have permission you may use your own account too.

Fundraising FAQs

  1. Is fundraising required this year for everyone?
    No, fundraising is optional but highly encouraged. There are prizes available for those raising as little as $50
  2. Who can help fundraise for the Great Guide Sleepover?
    Guides, Leaders, and Parent Helpers are all able to create a fundraising page. Just sign up under your Unit, create your page and fundraise away!
  3. What happens if I receive a cheque or cash donation? 
    Donations will only be accepted by the online Grassrootz portal.
  4. Can additional donations to Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT be made?
    Yes, you are able to donate directly to Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT through the main page of Grassrootz by using the link in the About Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT section.
  5. When do I need to return my fundraising money to Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT?
    Leaders are responsible for ensuring that Guides who are fundraising have submitted their funds through the online Grassrootz portal. 
    All fundraising for prizes must be submitted the Wednesday prior to your GGS event. That means: 
    Dubbo: 5pm Wed 16 August 23
    Alice & Sydney: 5pm Wed 23 August 23
    The online fundraising portal will remain open through the event however to be eligible for prizes all monies must be in by the above date.
Prizes!
Prizes for excellent fundraising efforts will be awarded at all GGS locations, with specific prizes offered to Sydney and Dubbo attendees:
Fifty dollars ($50): One (1) plush toy
Three hundred fifty dollars ($350): Taronga prize pack to include: Taronga merchandise and two (2)
tickets valid for either Taronga Zoo Sydney or Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo; ticket validity one (1) year from issue date. 
Seven hundred fifty dollars ($750): One (1) VIP Behind-The-Scenes Animal Experience and one (1) family pass (valid for up to two (2) adults and two (2) children) for either Taronga Zoo Sydney or Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo; family pass valid for one (1) year from issue date. 
Individual with highest total fundraising amount: One (1) Roar and Snore experience for up to four (4) individuals; experience valid for one (1) year from issue date; blackout dates may apply; fundraiser must raise a minimum of $1200; if no fundraiser exceeds $1200, this prize will not be awarded. 
Unit with highest total fundraising amount: The ability to attend the choice of either Taronga site with Unit for one (1) day including one (1) keeper talk experience; valid for Unit, up to ten (10) individuals).

Resources

There will be resources to help you with your fundraising.

Grassrootz Step by Step for additional assistance setting up your Grassrootz page download this step by step guide. 

Do’s & Don’ts for Charitable Fundraising

We’ve provided some great suggestions to help you fundraise for this unique Guiding event. But before you hit the ground running, please take time to read the following list of Do’s and Don’ts for Guides aged 10–17 (otherwise known as the boring but ever so important legal bits)

Do
  • Guides are to be adequately clothed in uniform and otherwise protected from extremes of climate or temperature.
  • At all times reasonably practical, participating Guides must be able to contact their parent/s during the fundraising activities.
  • Guides must be adequately supervised. Their supervisor must supervise no more than six Guides; be in close proximity and make contact with the Guides at intervals not greater than 30 minutes.
  • Guides must work with at least one other Guide raising funds for the Sleepover.
  • There must be 12 hours between shifts.
  • Parents or Guardians should ensure that Guides receive appropriate and nutritious food.
  • Food should be available at reasonable hours and drinking water available at all times.
  • Toilet facilities (toilet, hand washing and hand drying facilities) must be accessible to each Guide participant.
  • *After the appeal is finished the Guide must be accompanied by their parent or an adult authorised by their parent/s to travel home.
  • *This requirement does not apply if the child is more than 12 years of age and the distance home is less than 10 kms and public transport is available, and the travel is in daylight hours
Don’t
  • Guides must not enter a private dwelling when soliciting door to door; and not solicit, sell to or collect from a person in a motor vehicle.
  • Guides must not fundraise for more than four (4) hours a day—three (3) hours if under 12 years of age.
  • Guides must not fundraise before 6am or sunrise (whichever is later) and not after 7pm or sunset (whichever is earlier).
  • A Guide is not to lift any weight that would be likely to cause injury.
 



Apply to have half your travel cost covered by Girl Guides.

Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT have a dedicated fund available to provide Members with financial assistance to attend special projects, camps, training and international conferences as well as to provide Volunteers with financial assistance to attend administrative events.

Eligibility
Members of Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT and non-member volunteers in NSW, ACT & NT are eligible to access the fund.

An individual may access this or any similar fund only once in three years.

Applicants will be eligible for assistance of up to half the travel component of their expenses.

Youth applicants must be recommended by their Unit Leader.
Adult applicants must be recommended by their Region Manager.

Application
Applications for Youth and Adult members must be submitted in writing to the State Commissioner no later than 6 weeks prior to the commencement of the event.

Selection
Selection is decided by the State Commissioner.

The outcome of the selection for Youth and Adult members will be advised in writing to the applicants by the State Commissioner or her delegate.

 

 



Transport for NSW has granted free public transport to the Great Guide Sleepover event in NSW.
 
Participants can travel to Sydney Taronga Zoo and Dubbo Western Plains Zoo on Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink intercity and regional services, Sydney Ferries, Sydney Light Rail and Sydney metropolitan and outer-metropolitan bus services from 19 – 20 August 2023 & 26 – 27 August 2023 inclusive. 
 
If travelling from regional areas the free transport has been extended to NSW TrainLink regional services (economy class seats only) from 18 – 21 August 2023 & 25  – 28 August 2023 inclusive. NSW Trainlink Bookings must be made in advance prior to 18 August 2023 by: 
  • attending a NSW TrainLink sales outlet and presenting the official Transport for NSW free travel pass and a copy of the Transport for NSW Free Transport letter (download below); or 
  • telephoning NSW TrainLink on 13 22 32.
When travelling, participants must carry their NSW TrainLink ticket, a copy of the free transport pass and a copy of the free transport approval letter. Please click the links below to download and print to show proof of free travel to Transport NSW Staff:
Girl Guides and Guide Leaders will be required to wear their uniforms with the Girl Guides Trefoil logo visible (no need for badge sashes or tabs).

If you park in a Transport Park&Ride car park, use the intercom button at the exit gate and advise the operator that you are a participant in the 2023 Great Guide Sleepover event. You may be asked to show either the official Transport for NSW free travel pass or a copy of the Transport NSW Free Transport letter to the car park operator who can then manually open the gate.

UPDATE: For the Dubbo event, there will be a bus available to take you from the Dubbo train station to Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Tickets & General Information

How old must I be to attend the event?
Dubbo and Sydney 
Guides must be a minimum of 10 years old by 27 August and registered in a Guide Unit to attend this event. Junior Guides cannot attend. All Bridging Junior Guides must be registered with paperwork approved and submitted by 31 July. 

Alice Springs 
Due to the Alice Springs event being slightly smaller in size, Guides aged 5+ are able to attend. Discuss with your Leader about attending prior to purchasing a ticket. 

If my membership is not current, can I still attend?
No, your membership must be current for you to attend this event and all your fees must be up to date. Your membership status will be checked before the event.

What if I can no longer attend? Can I get a refund?
Refunds will only be offered to those with extenuating circumstances and who notify us they cannot attend before the registration closing date.
This event fills quickly and we often have a waiting list, so please make sure you notify us asap if you can’t attend so we can give the place to someone else.

If the event is booked to capacity, can I be put on a waiting list?
Yes. The event fills quickly and we do create a waiting list. However, we can’t guarantee you a place.

Will the event still go ahead if it’s raining?
The event will go ahead even if it is raining. In the advent of extreme weather conditions there is a contingency plan.

Will the event be catered?
No. Hot water will be available for participants who have an insulated mug with a lid. 

Guiding Requirements

I am a Unit Leader Not Yet Qualified, can I take my girls to the Great Guide Sleepover?
Yes, but all ULNYQs must be accompanied by a Qualified Leader.

Can Adult Non-Members attend the event?
Yes, however each adult non-Member will need to follow the Child Safe Child Friendly requirements and be screened prior to attending the event.
Adult non-Members will need to purchase their ticket to the event to be able to begin the screening process. 

I am a Leader/District or Region Manager and I can’t see my Guides when trying to register my Unit?
If you are having difficulty registering please refer to How to Register a Unit . 
Please email the Member Services Team to assist with registration issues.

Terms & Conditions

  • Attendees must be a minimum of 10 years old (5 years for the Alice Springs event) in a Guide Unit and be valid Member of Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT to attend this event. Girls age 9 and in a Guide Unit (not a Junior Guide Unit) are able to attend. 
  • Places are strictly limited and the event is usually full well before the closing date.
  • Membership must be current for all participants to be registered and to attend this event and will be checked.
  • Following the registration cut-off date no refunds or name changes will be offered.
  • If you need to leave the Great Guide Sleepover early on Sunday or will be arriving late on Saturday night,contact Member Services by email.
  • Only Adult Members with current Leader Qualifications should attend unless adult non-Members are needed. All Adult Members must be part of a Unit and maintain an adult to girl ratio. If you are bringing adult non-members (females only) to bring with your Guides please register them by purchasing an Adult Helper Ticket. Interim Leaders can only attend if they are assisting fully Qualified Leaders.
  • Non-Member Adult Helpers need to be registered as an Ongoing Volunteer to attend 
  • If you are using a bus to take your girls to the Zoo or Wildlife Park, and the bus driver is male, he cannot stay overnight at the Great Guide Sleepover.



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