Sleeping Rooms

Sleeping / Resting areas

Hackathons shouldn't be events of self-imposed torture (lack of sleep, post-hackathon illness, junk food overload etc). So why not provide areas conducive to resting? Here are some things to take note of:

• Do you have capacity for more than one sleeping rooms? Do you have Under-18s present staying overnight? If the answer to either is yes note:
  • Ideally have male, female and non-binary sleeping rooms. If not, gender specific sleeping rooms while allowing non-binary attendees to make their choice also works.
  • If Under-18s are present overnight, ensure they have separate sleeping rooms. Background-Checked Volunteers should be stationed outside Under-18 specific sleeping rooms.
• Provide sleeping Bags / Yoga Mats / Air Beds (make sure you have an electric pump handy!) depending on your budget. If not, asking attendees to bring their own is also a possibility.
• Is it going to be cold during the event?
• Don't assume your sleeping areas will always be warm.
  • Ensure that room heating is active at night, and check if it adjustable or is controlled by central heating.
  • Provide or ask attendees to bring their own blankets.
  • Have portable heaters available (ensure it doesn't breach Fire Safety! See Venue).
• Air flow to introduce fresh air is important too! Waking up to the sleeping room smelling like a locker room isn't always pleasant.

Beyond that, there are other things such as noise and light pollution as well as privacy to be aware of:

• Noise Pollution

  • Having heavy doors / curtains help block out some noise.
  • Keep sleeping areas away from main hacking spaces.
  • Avoid planning any mini-events near the sleeping area.
  • Make sleeping rooms Mobile Phone Alarm-free Zones (or any similar alarms). Let attendees know, and have a sign up stating as such.
    • If you have manpower, you might station volunteers to help wake attendees up during the night hours (1am - 6am). This is only if attendees specifically request for it.

• Light Pollution

  • Be aware of where sunlight can stream in - having curtains over windows is ideal.
  • Makeshift curtains work just as well!

• Privacy

  • You wouldn't like it if someone was able to peek into your bedroom while you were sleeping. Similarly, you should ensure resting attendees have such privacy.
  • Space out how you lay the mats! We all have differing levels of personal space, and it wouldn't be fun to roll into another person at night.

The On-Day Execution Segment can be found here