Schedule (approximate):

9:30 p.m. Registration

10:00 p.m. Kick-off reception INSIDE at COSI

10:30 p.m. – 6:00 a.m. SLEEP OUT!

6:00 a.m. – 6:30  a.m. Warm up inside with coffee, juice, and muffins as we wrap up and reflect

6:30 a.m.  Head home to a comfy bed for a long nap!

Parking: Washington Boulevard, the road that runs between COSI and the riverfront, will be closed to other traffic. SLEEP OUT volunteers will let you through the barricades and direct you to parking on Washington Boulevard right in front of the sleep out site. See the attached map. 

Arrival and Registration: At the SLEEP OUT! site you will drop your things under the big tent and proceed down the outdoor steps to the Central High Room indoors. Staff and volunteers will direct you. Registration will be indoors. After the welcome with hot chocolate and cookies, participants will head out to the tent and set up their sleeping areas.

What to Bring: Winter grade sleeping bag, sleeping pad if you have one, warm clothing (hats and extra socks a good idea), and flashlight. Check the weather and dress appropriately to withstand a cold night in Ohio. Please consider bringing cell phones/tablets to communicate with your social networks about your experience.

What to Leave at Home:  Valuables, cash, young children, pets, tents and camping stoves. No alcohol allowed. We will provide snacks throughout the evening and muffins after the event. We ask that you leave additional food at home unless a medical condition requires you to have snacks with you.

Where You will be Sleeping: The SLEEP OUT will take place on the outdoor (paver) plaza at COSI. There will be one large event tent.

Other Experiences throughout the Night:

If you can’t sleep, the Central High Room will be open. We hope that SLEEP OUT! participants will talk to each other about the issue of homelessness and about your SLEEP OUT! experience.

There will also be a video reflection booth where participants can record their thoughts and answer some questions like “How do you feel about being outside at this point in the night?” and “How is the weather affecting your ability to sleep?”

We ask participants to stay within the COSI plaza for security reasons.

Restrooms: We will have access to the restrooms inside COSI.

Security: COSI and Columbus Police will provide security for the entire event.

Emergencies: If you need help during the evening or experience a medical emergency, please report your problem to the Huck House staff on duty.  If you must leave before the event is over, please notify staff.

Media: A number of media outlets have said they plan to come to cover the event. We have designated spokespeople for this, BUT, should any member of the media want to interview you – as long as you're amenable – that’s great. They might ask what motivated you to participate and/or what your experience in the SLEEP OUT! has taught you. Just speak from the heart.

Social Media: Please bring your mobile device to the SLEEP OUT! event and plan to FB, tweet, snap, post, blog, upload, and otherwise share your SLEEP OUT! experience throughout the night. #SleepOutColumbus

Also, be sure to LIKE Huckleberry House, Inc. on Facebook and SHARE our postings (you'll likely be in them).

Photographers/Videographers:  By signing the SLEEP OUT! liability form, you are consenting to allowing Huck House to photograph you and take video of you. In addition to Huck House photographers, there will be other free-lance photographers and videographers on site throughout the night

If you have any questions about the Sleep Out, contact Sonya Thesing at sthesing@huck-house.org or (614) 298-4103.