YOUR SLEEP OUT (OR SLEEP IN)

• Pick a location. A flat yard is a great option!
• Use our Sleep Out fundraiser template on GiveMN to create your own fundraiser (just scroll down and select “Start Your Own Fundraiser” and then choose the template provided by our organization). Then spread the word and ask people in your neighborhood and social network to support Interfaith in honor of your efforts!
• Borrow tents or ask area merchants for large boxes to accommodate sleepers.
• Determine food/refreshments and decide who will bring what.
• If you plan to have a campfire, determine a safe site, wood supply, emergency water buckets, etc.
• A few days before, inspect your site and remove any hazards or large rocks from where you want to locate your tents or boxes. Also identify the closest restroom facilities for to use during the night.
• Plant a Sleep Out or You Belong yard sign any time in November as a visual reminder to your neighbors. Grab one or many for your family, friends and neighbors at Interfaith Outreach, located at 1605 County Road 101 N, Plymouth. (Signs will be set out Nov. 1 and are available first come first serve. If you need signs before then, please email give@iocp.org.)

Your site

• If there is snow on the ground, pack it down before setting up your tent or boxes.
• If the snow pack is several inches thick or the ground is too frozen, tent stakes may not work. Attach a 4’ to 6’ cord to each of your tent stake-out points, and tie them off to a rock, log or heavy household item (like a gallon milk bottle filled with water) to secure your tent. If you are set up in a group of tents, share anchors.

Staying Warm

• Place a tarp and a layer or two of cardboard directly on the ground before raising your tent. Place a layer of carpet padding (if available) on the bottom of your tent. Always use a pad under your sleeping bag in the winter. An ensulite pad (closed cell foam) or Thermarest camping mattress works better than a regular foam or air mattress. It’s not as soft but is much warmer! Many people suggest two pads. Insulating yourself from the ground is more important than insulating from cold air.
• Do not sleep on a cot. It is much colder than sleeping on the ground.
• Use a winter weight sleeping bag and don’t forget your pillow.
• Wear a warm hat, preferably wool, all night. It will keep your feet warm too! Wear dry wool socks to bed but avoid the temptation to wear too many layers of clothing or a coat inside your sleeping bag. Your body heat will warm the sleeping bag for you. Cinching up your mummy bag so that only your eyes, nose and mouth are exposed is another way to hold in heat.
• Don’t breathe into your sleeping bag at night. Breathe through a stocking cap or bandana instead. Moisture from your breath will introduce moisture in your sleeping bag and reduce its insulating ability.
• Put a bottle of warm water in the foot of your sleeping bag. It will keep your feet warm during the night. Be sure it is sealed tight, doesn’t leak and is not wet on the outside. You can place it inside a large Ziploc bag if you are unsure of the integrity of the seal.
• Vent your tent as much as possible at night to reduce condensation on the inside of the tent walls. The few degrees of warmth lost is preferable to having moisture collect inside the tent.
• Shared body heat will help to keep people warm and cozy as you sleep out with family or those in your “bubble.”
• Do some mild exercise before getting into your sleeping bag. Jog up and down the street or do some light calisthenics to increase circulation. It will help you to warm up and warm your sleeping bag quicker. DO NOT work up a sweat, as moisture is the enemy of warmth.
• If you have an equipment failure, get wet or find that your equipment is not adequate, move back inside and complete the night inside, on the floor or a couch. This turns your Sleep Out experience into a just as important “Sleep In” experience (see next section). And, it is better to err on the side of caution than to suffer frostbite or exposure.
• Dress in layers so you can easily adjust your clothes to regulate body moisture and temperature: a liner against your skin (long johns), insulation (fleece) and a waterproof and windproof outer shell.
• Wool or synthetic materials are much better than cotton, which loses its insulating qualities when it gets wet. Cotton also takes a long time to dry out.
• Wear boots with waterproof outer shells such as oiled leather or plastic.
• Protect against heat loss through your head by wearing a wool cap, toboggan, balaclava, etc. Over half of your body heat can be lost through your head. A balaclava helps protect your face and neck from cold and wind. It can also be worn as a toboggan or scarf while sitting around your campfire.
• Wear wool socks, but don’t wear too many pairs. If the blood flow to your feet becomes constricted, your feet will get cold regardless of how many socks you have on. Boot laces that are too tight will constrict the blood flow as well.
• Make sure your gloves, especially liners, are not too tight so they don’t constrict the blood flow and keep your hands from warming up.
• Other winter camping tips can be found online.

• That night: We’ve compiled a collection of thought-provoking and engaging activities surrounding homelessness awareness that are perfect for faith groups, Scouts troops or your group of family or friends. Click here to take your pick!
• The next morning: Reflect on the experience and how it may have differed from your typical routine. If you didn’t raise funds within your network, go online together to make a gift to the Sleep Out and support local families experiencing poverty.
• Plan to grab a photo of your group near your boxes, tents or fire! Tip: snag a photo while it’s still light out or be sure to use a strong flash! (That night, post on Facebook or Instagram tagging Interfaith Outreach and use hashtag #2024sleepout.) Use a caption that resonates with you and your group:
  • “I SLEEP OUT to raise awareness and funds surrounding housing instability in our community.”
  • “I SLEEP OUT to help meet our community’s basic needs.”
  • “I SLEEP OUT to equip families and individuals for ongoing stability.”
  • “I SLEEP OUT to give our neighbors hope.”
  • “I SLEEP OUT to help create a sense of belonging – for anyone and everyone.”

The sleep in experience is the indoor alternative to sleeping outside. It’s designed to bring families and friends together to explore some of the ways that our neighbors experience homelessness and raise funds to support them.

Think of who you might turn to if you were experiencing homelessness and needed to double up — invite that person/family to join you.

• Set a date.
• Use our Sleep Out fundraiser template on GiveMN to create your own fundraiser (just scroll down and select “Start Your Own Fundraiser” and then choose the template provided by our organization). Share your intention to raise funds and awareness on social media, and inspire others to do the same!
• Determine sleeping arrangements: Who will sleep on the floor? On the couch? Is there room for everybody, or does someone need to sleep in their car for the night?
• Consider turning the heat down to 58 degrees and use flashlights instead of lights during your Sleep In to help you not take your heat or lighting for granted. Reducing heat and electricity is one way people experiencing poverty try to lower their utility bills during the cold Minnesota winters.

• That night: We’ve compiled a collection of thought-provoking and engaging activities surrounding homelessness awareness that are perfect for faith groups, Scouts troops or your group of family or friends. Click here to take your pick!
• The next morning: Reflect on the experience and how it may have differed from your typical routine. If you didn’t raise funds within your network, go online together to make a gift to the Sleep Out and support local families experiencing poverty.