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Get involved! One of the best ways to get involved and show your support for Camp Kekoka’s mission is for businesses–or groups of friends–to form a team or back an individual plunger. It only takes 20 seconds to help a child go to summer camp!
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If you were curious about what the children at Camp Kekoka were doing on July 17, here’s a hint: practicing for the Polar Bear Plunge. That meant lying down in a pool of ice water and a lot of surprised camper faces.
In 2011, Camp Kekoka kicked off its first Polar Bear Plunge to raise money for the Guardian Program, which funds the subsidies that allow children whose parents couldn’t otherwise afford camp to attend. Last year’s Plunge raised $25,000, which enabled 50 children to head off for a week of living, learning and laughing at Camp Kekoka.
Camp director Cassie Leichty says 60 percent of campers receive some financial subsidy to attend. “The Plunge helps us ensure that no child sits out because of a lack of funds,” she says of the 404 children who attended, an increase of 15 percent over 2018. “We’ve never turned away a child for that reason.”
This year’s Plunge on January 26 promises to be an even bigger celebration as Camp Kekoka invites the community to be part of the fun. With the local radio station providing music and commentary, costumed teams and individuals will show their support for the camp’s mission by taking a 20-second plunge into Indian Creek. Shrieks can be expected.
Once everyone’s wet, they’ll head to the dining hall to warm up with hot soups, chili, hot cider, hot chocolate and coffee during the awards ceremony. The team that raises the most money takes home the golden plunger, inscribed with their business’ name, for a year.
One of the best ways to get involved and show your support for Camp Kekoka’s mission is for businesses—or groups of friends—to form a team or back an individual plunger. If you’re wondering why anyone would want to jump into frigid water in January, you’re missing the polar bear spirit.
Besides building community and creating a team spirit at your business, those 20 seconds in the creek may be the difference between who goes to camp and who doesn’t.
And, as anyone who’s participated can attest, it’s a whole lot of fun. Part of that comes from all the costumed plungers—furry animals, ballerinas, “Star Wars” characters, Superheroes —with an eye toward the pre-plunge costume contest. Plungers, as well as spectators, can vote on the Best Costume award, which then resides at the Plunger Hall of Fame table.
For those seeking additional incentives, Camp Kekoka has you covered. The cost for an individual to plunge is $100 and gets you an “I’ve Been Plunged!” t-shirt. Those who raise $350 get a handsome Camp Kekoka hoodie, while $1,000 means you’ll be the proud owner of a Kekoka beach towel. But raise $2,000 and you’ll be styling like Rocky Balboa in a plush bathrobe with the plunge emblem embroidered on the back.
Leichty is right there with the crowd taking the plunge. “The whole event only lasts from 10am to noon, so it’s a fast, fun way to make a large impact,” she says. “We call it freezin’ for a reason.”