The 2024 Plunge Maryland has been going on this past weekend by the Chesapeake Bay and I was gladly able to participate this year and share my experience. 

The Plunge Maryland is an organization that raises money for the Special Olympics. It supports a total of 15,588 athletes to get what they need to develop the physical fitness to participate in the activities they want to compete in. Maryland has been a part of this campaign for 28 years, involving thousands of participants and raising millions of dollars over the years. This year, their goal was $4 million dollars and they exceeded it, raising a total of $4,170,638. 

The are a couple of different ways to participate in the Plunge. To do the actual Polar Plunge, you can be a part of Cool Schools, a school engagement; Police Plunge, recruiting military, law enforcement, and first responders; Corporate Plunge, involving workspaces for a team-building experience; or Maryland Plunge, where you can plunge on your own or with friends and family online or in-person. The cost is either $100 to participate or $10 plus money donated by sponsors. 

Now what exactly are we doing, you may ask? It may not sound appealing to you, but when you register, you are signing up to run into the freezing Chesapeake Bay water to high five someone standing in the water and run back out. I found it to be a fun, exhilarating, and awakening experience. Lyla Hughes from Delaney High School recommends doing the Plunge because “[it’s] something to check off your bucket list.” 

There are also many sponsors to get free items and do fun activities while waiting to do the Plunge. You could get free t-shirts, lots of coupons, food and drinks, and exposure to new businesses. Overall, I think more people should participate in this fundraiser because it’s for an amazing cause and it’s a new fun and exciting thing to do.