The Great Guide Sleepover

Dubbo: Saturday 15 August to Sunday 16 August 2026
Sydney: Saturday 22 August to Sunday 23 August 2026

Where

Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Obley Road, Dubbo NSW
Taronga Zoo Sydney, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman NSW

Who

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

Badge Competition Now Open!

We need your help designing the official badge for the 2026 Great Guide Sleepover! Are you up for the challenge?

Imagine everyone at the 2026 Great Guide Sleepover rocking your design! Think you’ve got the creative spark to make the next iconic badge? Let’s see what you’ve got!

Badge Competition Information

Saturday 

• Interactive and engaging keeper talks and animal experiences
• Registration check in
• Collection of wristband & event badge!
• After hours entry in the Zoo 
• Guide Shop 
• Presentation of fundraising prizes
• Dance Party!
• Starlit cinema
• Sleeping under the stars

Sunday 

• Rise and shine by the surrounding animal calls 
• Exclusive animal experiences just for Girl Guides! 
• Say goodbye...either stay to explore the Zoo some more, or head home

• Bedroll and all bedding
  WATCH: How to make a bedroll! 
  READ: How to make a bedroll!
• Picnic dinner and breakfast with utensils as needed
• Tea towel
• Insulated cup with lid for hot water and hot chocolate
• Camp uniform (clothes for both getting wet and keeping dry and warm)
• Spare clothes
• Wet weather gear
• Face washer
• Drink bottle
• Toiletries

• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Torch (a red light torch is required for Dubbo attendees)
• Insect repellent
• Themed outfit (if you choose)
• ADM.27 for Youth to hand to your Unit Leader
• ADM.28 for Adults to have with you. 
• Money for the Guide Shop (cash or card) NB. if you are walking around the zoo on either the Saturday or Sunday, the zoo retail outlets are all cashless.

2026 Fundraising Information

Funds raised from the Great Guide Sleepover go to support Taronga Conservation Society. Taronga cares for 4,000 animals from over 350 species, many of which are threatened. In recent years the event has been hosted at Taronga Zoo by Guides and one animal or cause is selected to support.

This year the Regent Honeyeater has been selected as our focus for all donations. Thank you for your help in raising money to support Regent Honeyeater conservation at the Taronga Conservation Society! 


 

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.
   You can use social media* to help your campaign and also provide more information about your fundraising focus.  
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 by 5pm the Wednesday prior to the GGS event. That means: 
   The online fundraising portal will remain open through the event however to be eligible for prizes all monies must be in by 5pm on the Wednesday before the event date.

Prizes!

Prizes for excellent fundraising efforts will be awarded as follows:
Fifty dollars $50: One (1) Taronga plush toy and further fundraising prizes as follows:
One hundred fifty dollars ($150): Two (2) tickets valid for either Taronga Zoo Sydney or Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo; ticket valid for one (1) year from issue date; or
Two hundred fifty dollars ($250): Taronga prize pack to include: Taronga cap and socks and two (2) tickets valid for either Taronga Zoo Sydney or Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo, ticket valid for one (1) year from issue date; or
Five hundred dollars ($500): one (1) Animal Encounter and one (1) family entry 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 over $1200: One (1) Roar and Snore experience (Sydney) or Savannah Cabins one (1) night stay (Dubbo) 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. Dates subject to availability; must provide at least 3 weeks' notice prior to booking this experience.
Unit with highest total fundraising amount over $750: The ability to attend either Taronga Zoo, Sydney or Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo with their Unit for one (1) day, entry plus one (1) keeper talk experience will be provided; valid for the Unit, up to ten (10) individuals). Dates subject to availability; must provide at least 3 weeks' notice prior to booking this experience.

Resources

Download the Regent Honeyeater Fundraising Info Pack!

Grassrootz Step by Step Guides: For additional assistance setting up your Grassrootz team and individual pages download these step-by-step guides.

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.

Tickets & General Information

How old must I be to attend the event?
Guides must be a minimum of 10 years old by the event start date and registered in a Guide Unit to attend this event. Junior Guides cannot attend.

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?
All refunds must be requested via email. Refunds are not offered after the registration closing date.

If the event is booked to capacity, can I be put on a waiting list?
Yes. If the event fills quickly, we will 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. If the conditions are unsafe, the event will be cancelled and attendees notified.

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 in Training, can I take my girls to the Great Guide Sleepover?
Yes, but all Unit Leaders in Training must be accompanied by a Qualified Leader.

Can Adult Non-Members attend the event?
Only female registered Ongoing Volunteers can attend the event. If your Non-Member Volunteer hasn't registered with Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT yet, the first step is to complete the Ongoing Volunteer Registration Form. NB: You must be logged out to access this form. Completing the form also initiates the screening process. We recommend starting the screening process as soon as possible.
 

• Attendees must be a minimum of 10 years old in a Guide Unit and be valid Member of Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT to attend this event.
• 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.

• 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 ensure they register themselves and purchase an adult helper ticket.
• Non-Member Adult Helpers need to beregistered as an Ongoing Volunteer to attend 
• If you are using a bus to take your girls to the Zoo, and the bus driver is male, he cannot stay overnight at the Great Guide Sleepover.