Capital Area Cool Schools

February 27, 2026

Gifford Pinchot State Park

Gifford Pinchot State Park | Lakeside Trail, Lewisberry, PA 17365

You can participate in the Polar Plunge season by taking the traditional Polar Plunge, hosting a Rain Rally or doing the Polar Pop. Cant plunge Friday? Join us on Saturday and still support Cool Schools! Cool Schools Polar Plunges feature teams of K-12 students who plunge and raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics. Registering as a Cool Schools team is a great team-building experience and an awesome way to support Special Olympics athletes within your school community!

Can’t make the in-person plunge?

Don’t worry your school can still bring a plunge experience right to your community with our Rain Rally or Polar Pop. Cant plunge Friday? Join us on Saturday and still support Cool Schools!

The Cool Schools Rain Rally is hosted by a school or university where a local fire department provides a rainbow shower of water through which students, teachers, and administrators go through with spirit! While using fire engines is the most popular, you can be creative in how you conduct your own event.

Commit to “Freezin’ for a Reason”: Students come to a parking lot or large grass area and run, walk or dance through a rainbow water shower
Enhance the atmosphere: Play music and incorporate other elements to add to the spirit and enthusiasm of the event
Fundraise: Funds raised will support Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Unified Champion Schools program
Incentivize it! Participants who raise a minimum of $35 receive a Rain Rally shirt
Inspire a Competition: Like other viral fundraising challenges, students can challenge students from rival schools, as well as others throughout the state

We encourage schools and colleges to select their own schedule and design a “Cool Schools Rain Rally Event” in their vision.

The Cool Schools Polar Pop is hosted by a school or university and allows everyone to participate in our plunge season and support Special Olympics by popping a cold water balloon over their head (or someone else’s head!)

Choose a Team Captain: A teacher, coach, advisor or other faculty member
Gather Your Team: Your in-school team can include classmates, teachers, friends, or family members
Pick a day and assemble your team at-school or on-campus (have a photographer ready!)
Then… 1-2-3 POP cold water balloons over your heads to show how you’re #FreezinForAReason for Special Olympics

Need anything else? Email Nelson at ntrout@specialolympicspa.org

Donate Now

Dover Area High School

$4,998 raised (100%) • 43 members

Rams United

$3,333 raised (667%) • 25 members

Red Lion Unified

$2,421 raised (484%) • 36 members

Cedar Cliff Bocce and Friends Forever

$2,015 raised (101%) • 21 members

LJM Cool Cubs

$1,717 raised (172%) • 11 members

Mandy Oswalt

$1,265 raised (1265%)

Ashley Mansfield

$1,000 raised (1000%)

Christopher Hewitt

$775 raised (775%)

Cooper Dolloff

$635 raised (635%)

Myra Walborn

$530 raised (530%)

Don’t see your name or team? Click here to check your rank and access your page to jumpstart your fundraising!

More Information

Plunge Schedule

10 am: Registration Opens
10:30 am: Costume Contest Registration
11 am: Costume Contest
11:30 am: Opening Ceremonies
11:50 am: First Wave Stages and Plunges at 12 pm. Plunge waves are rolling.
1:30 pm: Breakdown / Clean up

Parking Info

Parking is available on site.

Plunge Town

Hot coffee and cocoa provided by Wawa. Food trucks on site with food available for purchase.

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