ABOUT THE PLUNGE

This year, we are celebrating our 20th Polar Bear Plunge to "Keep Winter Cold!" Every winter for the past 19 years, hundreds of passionate climate activists have run, walked, and skipped into icy cold waters for a winter swim to raise funds in support of the work of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN). Just like a charity fun run, Plunge participants accept donations from their friends and family to support our vital climate work.

The very first Polar Bear Plunge to "Keep Winter Cold" was held in December of 2005 and brought in $5,000 and had around 25 plungers. Since then, the event has grown to more than 300 plungers who help raise over $200,000 in support of CCAN's climate campaigns. The humble beginnings of this event sowed an incredible foundation for what is now CCAN's largest grassroots fundraising event.

2025 POLAR BEAR PLUNGE TO "KEEP WINTER COLD"

NATIONAL HARBOR PLUNGE

All Plungers are invited to join us for a morning of fun on February 8, 2025 to Plunge in-person at the National Harbor on the banks of the Potomac River, just across from our nation's capitol. The inclement weather date for this year's plunge is February 15, 2025. If you are under the age of 18, please have a parent or guardian sign the waivers and email them to [email protected] by February 6. We encourage all Plungers to sign-up by 2:00 PM on Friday, February 7th. If you sign-up after this time or register day-of, you will be asked to make a $25 registration donation.

Find more details below and REGISTER HERE.

BRRRR-TUAL PLUNGE

For Plungers unable to join us at the National Harbor, you can take the Plunge BRRRR-tually! Some ideas for those plunging BRRRR-tually are: jump into an icy cold bath or kiddie pool, dump a bucket of ice water over yourself, or even go to a nearby body of water like a local creek or pond. The most important thing is that you and icy water come together for a brief moment. Need inspiration? Check out these creative plunges.

**Every person who is planning to Plunge must sign-up online and complete our waiver during the sign-up process. If you are under the age of 18, your parent or guardian must sign the waiver and email it to [email protected] or bring it to the Plunge event.

    REGISTER TO TAKE THE PLUNGE

The first steps before signing up to take the Plunge are to determine if you'll be plunging at National Harbor or BRRRR-tually, and if you'll be plunging with a team. You can create a team of your friends, family, coworkers, teammates, the possibilities are endless. View our Teams page for more information on creating or joining a team.

The next step is to set your fundraising goal. We hope you'll set an ambitious goal, many plungers strive to raise $1,000. But, the main thing is that you simply participate and do the best you can in raising funds to support CCAN's work. Once your personal profile page is set up, you're able to share it with your friends and family as you ask them to support your Polar Plunge. 

PLUNGE PERKS

Every plunger is invited to attend our Pre-Plunge rally at National Harbor and our Post-Plunge Celebration! Before plunging at the National Harbor, we'll have warm beverages, snacks, action tables, games, and a mini-rally. After plunging we'll all come back together to continue the fun with food and drinks on CCAN.

Plungers who raise $350 will be receive the 2025 plunge t-shirt!  

PLUNGE DAY 2025

National Harbor Plunge:

10:30 - 11:30 AM: Arrive and check-in at the Capital Canopy! We'll have action tables, music, games, face painting, warm drinks and yummy snacks.
11:30 AM - 12:10 PM: Pre-Plunge rally and costume contest. Sign up for the costume contest here.
12:10 - 12:20 PM: March to the Plunge point and get ready to Plunge.
12:20 AM - 12:40 PM: PLUNGE TIME! After Plunging you can change into warm clothes in our changing tents.
12:45 - 2:30 PM: Head back to the Capital Canopy for continued fun and celebration with your fellow plungers! We'll have food and beverages, games, and music!

What to Bring: Be sure to bring closed-toe water shoes, your plunge outfit, towel, a change of warm clothes (and something to put your wet ones in), climate action signage, and your personal cheer section! 

Getting to National Harbor:
- Parking: You can park at any of the public parking lots at National Harbor. 
           - Mariner Garage: 164 Mariner Passage, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
           - Carousel Lot: 137 National Plaza, Oxon Hill, MD 20745
- Public Transit: Bus on the WMATA NH1 Line or WMATA NH2 Line. Plan your ride here.

 Costume Contest:

One of the most fun aspects of the Plunge is the quirky outfits plungers show up in. The costume contest will take place at the National Harbor Plunge on February 8th during the pre-plunge rally. Due to the number of plungers who come in costume, we ask all interested participants to please fill out this form ahead of time.

BRRRR-tual Plunge

We'll be streaming from Facebook Live from the National Harbor plunge. Be sure to tune-in. After you take your plunge, share your videos and photos with our team by emailing them to [email protected].