Time to take a dip for Y’s Polar Plunge
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HUNTINGDON -- Victoria Searer is ready to take the plunge for a third time and wind up freezing for a reason in 2024.
For Sarah King, it would mark her maiden voyage into frigid Greenwood Lake.
Searer is the executive director of the Juniata Valley YMCA in Burnham, while King was hired as its new program director in June. The two are preparing for the 13th Annual YMCA Polar Plunge to be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 at Greenwood Furnace State Park in Huntingdon.
"Our slogan this year is 'Freezin' for a Reason!" said Searer, who has taken the plunge twice to date. "All of the proceeds of the polar plunge benefit the YMCA's youth programming. We are all working very hard at the YMCA to add some new youth programs and youth events as well as improve the current youth programs we offer.
"The YMCA plays a big role in the lives of the youth in our community," she added. "In a world where so much comes and goes, the Juniata Valley YMCA has lasted and has been a constant for much of the youth in our community."
Despite the expected cold temperatures, Searer encourages the community to support the plunge by sponsoring a participant, taking part in the event or just coming to the event and cheering. (All of the above would be great, too.)
"One of the big things we do with the funds raised during this event is provide scholarships to youth or families who cannot afford a membership to the YMCA," Searer said. "We never want to deter anyone from coming to the YMCA due to financial reasons. The YMCA is such an important place in our community. I say this all of the time our YMCA is so much more than just a gym."
The Polar Plunge has two divisions for its participants: Big Dippers are ages 13 and up, while Little Dippers are ages 8 to 12. Entries in the older division are asked to raise at least $50 in donations, with the younger division donating at least $25.
Last year's event had more than 70 participants taking the plunge. Regardless of age, plungers must wear shoes and bring a large towel or blanket.
As it has in previous years, the YMCA has promised members that if they raise enough money someone from the YMCA will take the polar plunge. This year, Searer said if $1,000 is collected in their donation jar at the front desk, King has agreed to bravely take the plunge.
The late Don Chapman, a long-time member of the YMCA Board of Directors and advocate, and former YMCA Programs and Aquatics Director Stacey Falkner started the Polar Plunge fundraiser for the YMCA 12 years ago.
"It is so amazing to see how much it has grown," Searer explained. "The Friends of Greenwood and the Greenwood Furnace State Park environmental education specialists have built an entire winter festival around the polar plunge event.
"It is so cool to see all of the activities that go on at Greenwood that day," she added. "There is so much to do and there are activities for people of all ages."
In the past, the Greenwood Furnace SnowFest has included a variety of activities, including a five-mile trail race, beach bonfire, appearance by Smokey the Bear, live music, snowshoeing, ice fishing, broomball and bird watching outdoors as indoor events, such as educational and interactive exhibits; winter birds and bird feeders; animal furs, tracks and skills; and Dutch-oven cooking. There are activities for all ages with painting wood cookies, digging out frozen fossils and making pinecone bird feeders.
This year's trail race is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. The register for that trail race, visit www.dcnr.pa.gov or find Greenwood Furnace SnowFest on Facebook.
For more information about the polar plunge, call (717) 248-5019 or email prodir_jvymca@comcast.net.