19th Annual Polar Bear Plunge to "Keep Winter Cold"

Are you concerned about the climate crisis? Would you like to make a difference? Are you up for taking a winter swim? Then our annual Polar Bear Plunge to "Keep Winter Cold" is THE event for you!

Join hundreds of fellow climate activists the morning of February 10, 2024 to take the plunge for our climate at National Harbor, just outside of Washington, DC (or BRRRR-tually). Not only is the event guaranteed fun, it's the Chesapeake Climate Action Network's (CCAN) largest grassroots fundraising event of the year. Through peer-to-peer fundraising, Polar Plungers are able to raise over 30 percent of CCAN's programs budget for the year ahead. Are you ready to Take the Plunge?

TAKE THE PLUNGE

By taking the Plunge, you're committing to help raise vital funds for the work of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network as we organize to pass climate policies in our region and nationwide. The Plunge is also an opportunity to speak with your peers and family about climate change – and of course – it's FUN! Learn more about the Plunge >>>

PLUNGE DAY

National Harbor Plunge

10:00 - 11:00 AM: Arrive and register at the Capital Canopy! We'll have action tables, music, games, warm drinks and snacks.
11:00 - 11:30 AM: Pre-Plunge rally and costume contest.
11:30 - 11:45 AM: March to the Plunge point and get ready to Plunge.
11:45 AM - 12:05 PM: Plunge time! Plungers are asked to utilize signs for climate action. After Plunging you can change into warm clothes in our changing tents.
12:05 - 2:00 PM: Head back to the Capital Canopy for continued fun and celebration with your fellow plungers! We'll have food, drinks, 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! 

BRRRR-tual Plunge

Unable to make it to National Harbor but still want to participate and support climate action? You can Plunge BRRRR-tually from anywhere. Please still register and fundraise normal. After plunging, you can share your videos and photos with us and tune-in to our Facebook Live event at National Harbor.

DONATE TO A PLUNGER

Do you know someone plunging? Support their winter swim! Search for them in our toolbar at the top of the page or by clicking the button below. Whether you are able to give $5 or $100, all donations go towards supporting our team and funding our climate campaigns in 2024.

Top Plungers 1 Lori Hill Raised $1,790.60 Donate 2 Matthew Guerin Raised $1,042.40 Donate 3 Victoria Higgins Raised $613.20 Donate 4 Ting Waymouth Raised $504.00 Donate 5 Kristen Friedel Raised $354.50 Donate 6 Zora Waymouth Raised $341.00 Donate 7 Lydia Hadfield Raised $289.00 Donate 8 Anne Havemann Raised $275.00 Donate 9 Zander Pellegrino Raised $208.00 Donate 10 Arianna Huff Raised $193.20 Donate

Top Teams 1 Neighborhood Sun Solar Bears Raised $1,377.40 Donate 2 NoVA New Leaf Raised $1,078.00 Donate 3 Live Laugh Plunge 2: Electric Boogaloo Raised $613.20 Donate 4 Team Herskomann Raised $275.00 Donate 5 Loudoun Climate Project Raised $258.00 Donate 6 The IPCC (Intergenerational Plungers Conquering Complacency) Raised $211.50 Donate 7 Takoma Park Presbyterian Church Raised $204.00 Donate 8 The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway Raised $193.20 Donate 9 ICPRB Potomac Polar Bears Raised $135.00 Donate 10 Feminist Chill-Joys Raised $134.12 Donate

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

We're very grateful for our Polar Bear Plunge sponsors. They help underwrite the expenses of the Plunge to ensure every donation that Plungers receive goes directly toward CCAN’s program work. Learn more about our sponsors here.