FAQs
Beary White has you covered!
The MSP Polar Bear Plunge is chalked full of exciting opportunities. Beary wants to make sure that you have all of the answers leading up to January. If there is something that you have a question about that is not listed below, shoot us a message at events@somd.org.
Top Asked
Fundraising will close January 31, 2020 at 11:59 PM. You have until then to reach new incentive levels! Around February 1st, you will receive an incentive survey to confirm what incentive you would like and where you would like your incentive shipped to. To view all incentives and the fundraising levels that are associated with each, please see our Incentives page.
Depending on how much you fundraised, you will have the option to choose which incentive you would like to receive. You will not receive an incentive for each fundraising level you achieved but you do have the option to choose from a lower incentive level that you reached if you do not want the incentive of the level you finished on. You will also have the option to donate your incentive back to the athletes of Special Olympics Maryland.
These choices will be included in the Plunge Incentive Survey to be sent out around February 3rd!
If you signed up for a certain Plunge hour but wish to Plunge during another, you don't need to do anything! With our new Plunge Zone layout, there won't be any issues with space this year, so come to Plunge on January 25th and Plunge during whichever hour you would like!
The registration receipts automatically add the time of the whole Plunge event, which is 9:00am to 5:00pm. There is no Plunge at 9:00am but that is when Sandy Point State Park opens for the day. The first Plunge of the day is at 11:00am.
If you signed up for a certain Plunge hour but wish to Plunge during another, you don't need to do anything! With our new Plunge Zone layout, there won't be any issues with space this year, so come to Plunge on January 25th and Plunge during whichever hour you would like!
Facebook Fundraisers or posts with a "Donate" button are not in any way linked to your Classy Facebook fundraising page. We are able to move the move from Facebook to your Classy page, but we can only do this one time per Plunger. Not year we hope to be able to have the capabilities with Classy to have a fusion between Facebook Fundraisers and Classy fundraising pages, but as of today, these remain as separate entities.
If you would like us to move the money from your Facebook Fundraiser to your Classy fundraising page, please email plunge@somd.org with a link to your fundraiser or post with a "Donate" button, the amount you need to be transferred over, and the link to your Classy fundraising page.
No. Spectators are welcome to attend the event free of charge. There are tons of great food and beverage vendors, crafters and other merchandise for sale at the event so you might want to have some money on hand. If you want to watch the Plunge from the beach (Plunge Zone) you will need to sign a Spectator Waiver in registration in order to access the Plunge Zone. Turn in your signed Spectator Waiver at the Information Tent or at the Registration Tent at Plunge to receive your Spectator Wristband!
Spectators are welcome to enter the Plunge Zone and will need to sign a Spectator Waiver in registration in order to access the Plunge Zone. Turn in your signed Spectator Waiver at the Information Tent or at the Registration Tent at Plunge to receive your Spectator Wristband!
Unfortunately, the only good boys that are allowed at Plunge are service dogs. These service dogs are not allowed to Plunge in the water because of safety reasons. There are a lot of people plunging at the same time and we have this rule to ensure no Plunger or pooch gets hurt!
Online sales for parking passes have closed. You can still purchase a parking pass at one our of Packet Pickups. alternatively, you can also take advantage of our free shuttle services. Learn more here!
This year, we have a brand new website! Everyone will need to create a new login. We are very excited about our new website and hope you are too.
Unfortunately, because we switched to a new fundraising platform, everyone is "starting fresh" this year. If you would like us to pull a list of your donors or team members from previous years, please email us at plunge@somd.org.
Registration & Account Setup
When you register for a Registration with a Fundraising event, we’ll automatically generate a fundraising page for you so friends and family can donate. This support article will walk you through how to purchase a registration and claim your fundraising page. Please follow these directions when signing up for the Plunge on our Classy fundraising page.
After you create a fundraising page, you can edit its details and personalize the content. Learn how to edit your personal fundraising page. Learn more here!
Read this article and review tips from Classy about logging into your fundraising page.
Learn how to change your password or reset a forgotten password here!
When you create an account in Classy, you’ll enter contact information such as your name and email. Learn how to edit the contact information for your Classy account. Learn more here!
When you fundraise for an organization using Classy, you can create a fundraising team and invite other supporters of the organization to combine your efforts. Learn how to create a fundraising team here!
After you create a team fundraising page, you can edit its details and personalize the content. Learn how to edit your team fundraising page. Learn more here!
When you create a team fundraising page, you can invite others to join your team. Learn how to invite team members. Learn more here!
Yes. This just needs to be done on the administrative side, so in order to request such a change, please email plunge@somd.org with the following info:
- Participant's first and last name
- The exact name of the team you wish to join
- If applicable, the team you currently belong to You may also call 410-242-1515 and ask to speak to a Plunge representative who can make the change.
This year, we have a brand new website! Everyone will need to create a new login. We are very excited for our new website and hope you are too.
If you simply want to let us know that you are no longer attending, there is no need. We expect a certain % of no-shows each year and plan accordingly. If you paid the minimum $75 contribution to Special Olympics Maryland, we appreciate the donation, as do the SOMD athletes who will benefit from the funds raised at the MSP Polar Bear Plunge. Because it is a charitable contribution, it is non-refundable even if you are unable to participate.
Anyone with Plunge donations of $75 or more is welcome to come by SOMD during Plunge Packet-Up hours to turn in donations and pick up his or her Plunge shirt. However, there is no guarantee that shirts will be available during these pre-event registration hours. Vouchers may be distributed in lieu of actual shirts. If that is the case and you know that you are unable to attend the Plunge to pick up your shirt using that voucher (or have a friend do it for you), please speak with one of the volunteers and we will work with you to make sure that you receive it.
Donations & Fundraising
Teams are not required to raise any specific amount. However, every team member still must raise a minimum of $75 to Plunge.
There really isn’t a set level for teams, as we have some teams of two that raise $30,000 and some teams of 50 that only raise $3,750. We ask that everyone raise at least $75 per person (our fundraising minimum - $50 for Cool Schools), but the more you raise the more you support the 8,033 athletes of Special Olympics Maryland. Additionally, reaching higher incentive levels unlocks new incentives! Check out all our incentives here: https://plungemd.com/fundraising/incentives/
Unfortunately, because we switched to a new fundraising platform, everyone is "starting fresh" this year. If you would like us to pull a list of your donors or team members from previous years, please email us at plunge@somd.org.
Learn how to resend yourself a receipt as a supporter of an organization using Classy here!
Special Olympics Maryland or “SOMD”. Include in the memo area of the check the Plunger's name or the name of the team that is to be credited.
A site administrator from our office has to move that for you. Requests can also be emailed to plunge@somd.org with the following info:
- Donor's first and last name
- The donation amount you wish moved
- Where you want the donation moved to either your team name or another participant
Once completed, SOMD will send a confirmation email indicating the change has been made.
Donors can do one of the following:
- Call SOMD at 410-242-1515 and make a donation via the phone using a major credit card
- Write a check for Special Olympics Maryland or SOMD and mail it to:
- Special Olympics Maryland
Attn: 2020 Plunge
3701 Commerce Drive, Suite 103
Baltimore, MD 21227 - Include in the memo area of the check the Plunger's name or the name of the team that is to be credited.
- Allow at least 5 business days from the date that the check arrives at SOMD for the donation amount to be reflected in a participant's online fundraising total.
- Special Olympics Maryland
- Drop off the donation to SOMD Headquarters at the above address
Donations to the Plunge are accepted year-round, but to qualify for incentives you must have your donation submitted/mailed by February 25, 2020. They can be mailed or delivered to:
Special Olympics Maryland
Attn: 2019 Plunge
3701 Commerce Drive, Suite 103
Baltimore, MD 21227
Include the Plunger's name or the name of the team that is to be credited.
Donations to the Plunge are accepted year-round, but to qualify for incentives you must have your donation submitted/mailed by February 25, 2020 and simply need to be mailed or delivered to:
Special Olympics Maryland
Attn: 2019 Plunge
3701 Commerce Drive, Suite 103
Baltimore, MD 21227
All donations should be turned in at Registration, even if you already went through Packet Pick-Up. A registration volunteer will collect the additional funds and that amount will be added to your event total post-Plunge.
Charitable contributions are non-refundable, and the minimum Plunge registration fee is considered a charitable contribution and is therefore also non-refundable.
As a donor, you're able to cancel your recurring donation via your Supporter Dashboard. Learn how to access your Supporter Dashboard and cancel your recurring donation. Learn more here!
Donations will not appear on a Plungers page until SOMD Plunge staff received and enters the donation online.
Special Olympics Maryland is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We'll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.
Yes. Complete a request with your employer, and they will send us your donation information to verify. Once we receive the funds, we will apply the donation to your fundraising page. Not sure if your company matches gifts? Click here to find out!
Thanking your donors is crucial and Classy allows for an easy user experience to thank your supporters. Learn more here!
After you create a fundraising page, you can post updates to keep your donors engaged with your progress. Learn how to post updates to your fundraising page. Learn more here!
Sharing your fundraising page is easy and critical to reaching your fundraising goal. Learn about the different sharing options available to you as a fundraiser. Learn more here!
Any money you have in-hand must be turned in at Registration. This includes cash, checks, and money orders. Credit card donations are also accepted at Registration.
Facebook Fundraisers or posts with a "Donate" button are not in any way linked to your Classy Facebook fundraising page. We are able to move the move from Facebook to your Classy page, but we can only do this one time per Plunger. Not year we hope to be able to have the capabilities with Classy to have a fusion between Facebook Fundraisers and Classy fundraising pages, but as of today, these remain as separate entities.
If you would like us to move the money from your Facebook Fundraiser to your Classy fundraising page, please email plunge@somd.org with a link to your fundraiser or post with a "Donate" button, the amount you need to be transferred over, and the link to your Classy fundraising page.
Fundraising will close January 31, 2020 at 11:59 PM. You have until then to reach new incentive levels! Around February 1st, you will receive an incentive survey to confirm what incentive you would like and where you would like your incentive shipped to. To view all incentives and the fundraising levels that are associated with each, please see our Incentives page.
Depending on how much you fundraised, you will have the option to choose which incentive you would like to receive. You will not receive an incentive for each fundraising level you achieved but you do have the option to choose from a lower incentive level that you reached if you do not want the incentive of the level you finished on. You will also have the option to donate your incentive back to the athletes of Special Olympics Maryland.
These choices will be included in the Plunge Incentive Survey to be sent out around February 3rd!
Plunge Day
Spectators are welcome to enter the Plunge Zone and will need to sign a Spectator Waiver in registration in order to access the Plunge Zone. Turn in your signed Spectator Waiver at the Information Tent or at the Registration Tent at Plunge to receive your Spectator Wristband!
No. Spectators are welcome to attend the event free of charge. There are tons of great food and beverage vendors, crafters and other merchandise for sale at the event so you might want to have some money on hand. If you want to watch the Plunge from the beach (Plunge Zone) you will need to sign a Spectator Waiver in registration in order to access the Plunge Zone. Turn in your signed Spectator Waiver at the Information Tent or at the Registration Tent at Plunge to receive your Spectator Wristband!
Yes. In limited areas only. Plungers over the age of 21 can purchase drink vouchers in the Rams Head Ice Lodge throughout the day.
Yes. Plunge and Special Olympics merchandise will be on sale at the event and can always be purchased online here.
Yes. Tailgating is allowed, but tailgaters must follow the rules and regulations as outlined by the Maryland Park Service. Please remember that while in the park we are guests of the Maryland Park Service, and we ask that you respect these rules and regulations and respect Sandy Point State Park. Park Rules, Regulations, and Laws will be enforced by Police agencies.
Tailgating Rules:
- No Alcoholic Beverages outside of the designated area (Following State Parks regulations, anyone found to be in possession of any alcoholic beverage outside of the designated area will be issued a $55 citation for Alcohol in a Non-Designated Area by the Natural Resources Police)
- No Glass
- No Firewood
- No Open Flames
- No coals – only propane grills are permitted
- No Littering - please Collect all trash and dispose of in dumpsters
Whatever you want, within the following guidelines:
- No wetsuits allowed
- Wearing shoes is strongly encouraged – the sand is very cold and this will go a long way towards increasing your comfort
- Lewd or indecent bathing suits or outfits are not permitted. Please remember that this is a family event. Participants who disregard this policy will be asked to cover up or will be escorted from the park.
We do not have any depth requirements for the Plunge. We leave it up to the comfort level of the individual participant. Some choose to go all the way under, while others go ankle-deep. Remeber, toes count!
We provide large heated changing tents for Men and Women. These are located on the beach, just outside of the Plunge Zone, providing easy access to them immediately post-Plunge. Please note that neither the event committee nor Special Olympics Maryland is responsible for personal belongings left inside the tent that are lost or stolen during the course of the event. Leave items at your own risk.
New this year! Keep your belongings safe and store them in a mobile locker provided by The Mobile Locker. Mobile lockers will be stations next to the Merchandise Tent.
The Police, Corporate and Saturday Plunges will feature bands, beers, cocktails, and food trucks! Enjoy time relaxing and hanging out with your friends, family or co-workers before you take the chilly dip into the Chesapeake Bay. Check out specific Plunge details on the Plungefest page!
The Police, Corporate and Saturday Plunges will feature bands, beers, cocktails, and food trucks! Enjoy time relaxing and hanging out with your friends, family or co-workers before you take the chilly dip into the Chesapeake Bay. Check out specific Plunge details on our Plungefest page!
Anyone can participate. (Under 18 requires parent or guardian signature.)
If you signed up for a certain Plunge hour but wish to Plunge during another, you don't need to do anything! With our new Plunge Zone layout, there won't be any issues with space this year, so come to Plunge on January 25th and Plunge during whichever hour you would like!
The registration receipts automatically add the time of the whole Plunge event, which is 9:00am to 5:00pm. There is no Plunge at 9:00am but that is when Sandy Point State Park opens for the day. The first Plunge of the day is at 11:00am.
If you signed up for a certain Plunge hour but wish to Plunge during another, you don't need to do anything! With our new Plunge Zone layout, there won't be any issues with space this year, so come to Plunge on January 25th and Plunge during whichever hour you would like!
Unfortunately, the only good boys that are allowed at Plunge are service dogs. These service dogs are not allowed to Plunge in the water because of safety reasons. There are a lot of people plunging at the same time and we have this rule to ensure no Plunger or pooch gets hurt!
Online sales for parking passes have closed. You can still purchase a parking pass at one our of Packet Pickups. alternatively, you can also take advantage of our free shuttle services. Learn more here!
Plunge Do's & Don'ts
Who better to tell you about what to do and what not to do at Plunge, than Annu, Carmen, Desi, and Elaina, 4 of our 8,033 athletes here at Special Olympics Maryland? Check out their dance moves and jot down notes for your Plunge packing list. Watch more videos on our Special Olympics Maryland YouTube channel and don't forget to subscribe!