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Come chill.

Take the Plunge.

Brrrrrrr...

Is it freezing in here or is it just us?! Anyway, WELCOME! The Polar Plunge is a thrilling event where participants take a frosty dip in a pool or lake to raise funds and support Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Outside of the exhilarating pool deck or beautiful lake view, you can join us in PlungeTown for fun games and tasty food. Whether you take the Plunge with friends, family, coworkers, or on your own, we’re ready to see you this winter!

 

The Polar Plunge is Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s biggest fundraiser – with more than 30 plunges with thousands of participants jumping in around the state. All the money raised helps provide free year-round sports training and competition opportunities to more than 15,000 athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the state.

Steps to get started

Step 1: Register

Find the Plunge nearest you and register for the thrill of a lifetime

Find a plunge

Step 2: Fundraise

Ask your friends, family and coworkers to join your Plunge team! The more the merrier!

We’ve got plenty of resources to help you every step of the way.

View the fundraising toolkit

Step 3: Plunge

Jump into freezing-cold water for a great cause!

Find a plunge

FAQs

Where can I Plunge?

We have more than 10 Polar Plunge locations around the state! Find a Plunge near you and register today!

General Plunge: Local community plunges into a cold body of water, such as a lake, river or icy pool.

 

Cool Schools Plunge: School-based competition with teams of kindergarten through high school students, teachers and staff who plunge, raise funds and raise awareness for Special Olympics together.

 

Business/Happy Hour Plunge: A networking and company bonding event that includes business professionals and corporate partners plunging into a pool of icy water all while raising funds for Special Olympics Pennsylvania.

 

Mobile Plunge: Our Mobile Plunge Unit (aka Bear Force One 😎) brings the Plunge to you! Whether you’re a local business, school or community, BFO provides an unmatched Plunge experience that will have your friends and coworkers freezin’ for a reason. Learn more about bringing the plunge to you! 

 

Super Plunge: Dedicated participants plunge 24 times over a four-hour period. The Super Plunge is designed for Plungers committed to raising significant funds throughout the season.

Plunging is not only FUN but it’s for a great cause! Every plunge helps Special Olympics Pennsylvania provide more sports, health and leadership opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities in YOUR community and around the state – all free of charge.

Nope! Children are more than welcome to participate in the Plunge, and that decision is left to the sole discretion of a parent or guardian. Individuals under the age of 18 are required to have a parent or guardian present at the Plunge at all times.

  • Towel. To dry off and warm up with! Pro tip: bring a robe.
  • Old or waterproof shoes. All Plungers are encouraged to wear shoes during their plunge.
  • Plastic bag. To transport your wet clothes.
  • Dry change of clothes. 
  • Another Plunger! Recruit a friend, family member, coworker (whoever!) to take the Plunge with you!

Photos from all of our Plunges will be posted on the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Flickr Page. We do our best alongside our volunteer photographers to capture images of as many plungers as possible but do not guarantee photos of every individual plunger.

Who you’re supporting

“I love Special Olympics. I have met so many people over the years that are still my friends. It’s great to inspire and cheer each other on. Special Olympics has helped me to be more confident. I used to be very nervous speaking in public, but now I’m not afraid of the spotlight.”

Nicholas Dorion
Flag Football, Northampton

 

“I’m proud of the fact that I have managed to do more than people told my mom I would ever be able to do. Getting into college was probably my proudest accomplishment and Special Olympics has helped me build my confidence and learn new sports. My mom raised me to be strong and independent and that is why I have been able to do what I do.”

Dominic Johnson
Volleyball, Franklin

“Special Olympics is my life. I moved from an extremely anxious, insecure individual to a young woman who found a ‘home’ with Special Olympics. Growing up, I was excluded and was unable to understand even basic things about how the world works. I attended a number of different schools and was extremely awkward physically until I found that, with coaching from Special Olympics, I could succeed. My medals are precious.”

Celine Heffron-Pero
Athletics, Montgomery

“I had a very difficult time learning the skills of golf. With help from my coaches, I was able to learn the skills and I received a gold medal at State Games which gave me the opportunity to be picked for USA Games. I have made many new friends and play five different sports, including powerlifting and basketball.”

Reshema Sedziak
Golf, Erie

© Copyright 2025 Special Olympics Pennsylvania | events@specialolympicspa.org

Special Olympics Pennsylvania will accept gifts from donors and solicit gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations and via special events to support operations in its 9 geographic regions around the state. Such funds are unrestricted but will be used to meet regional operating needs as defined by the Board-approved budget in each region. Should funds raised exceed regional operating needs in the current year, those excess funds may be used at the sole discretion of Special Olympics PA for any purposes that will help the organization further and fulfill its mission.