PLUNGE QUESTIONS What s the Polar Plunge? The Polar Plunge (presented by New Jersey Law Enforcement as part of the year-round fundraising of Law Enforcement Torch Run events to benefit Special Olympics New Jersey) is a unique opportunity for individuals, organizations and businesses to support Special Olympics athletes by jumping into the frigid Atlantic waters during the month of January What is the minimum amount that I need to raise to participate in the event? ALL Plungers must raise a minimum of $100. If Plunging as a team, ALL team members are still required to raise at least $100. What incentives are available to participants who raise more than the minimum $100? Incentives are distributed at the following levels and are based on individual fundraising totals: $100 Plunge Adidas Hoodie $150 Plunge Challenge Coin
$300 Plunge Adidas Backpack $500 Plunge Robe $1,000 Plunge Towel $2,500 Plunge Cooler, Two Tumblers and One Bottle Opener $5,000 Plunge Choice of either a personalized Varsity Jacket or an Adidas Jacket $10,000 Plunge Adirondack Chair Please note all incentive colors and styles are subject to change based on availability. All incentives $5,000 and above will mailed after the Plunge. Incentive levels are cumulative so the more your raise the more you earn. How deep is the water? Each beach location is different, but we recommend Plungers only go in waist deep. If you want to go all the way under water, it s up to you bend your knees! However, we can t guarantee the depth, so if concerned, feel free to ask the Dive Team in the water before you jump. How old do you have to be to Plunge? There is no age requirement to participate in a Polar Plunge. Young children are welcome to participate, but that decision is left to the sole discretion of the child s parent or guardian. A waiver is included in the online registration process, and it must be approved, or clicked, by an adult. Those under 18 are required to have a parent or guardian present at the event. If you do not register online, paper waivers are available at registration as well.
Where can I change before and after I Plunge? We provide separate changing areas inside the convention center for men and women. Law enforcement personnel will be at the entrance to monitor the area, but please note that neither the event committee nor Special Olympics New Jersey are responsible for personal belongings left inside the rooms that are lost or stolen during the course of the event. Leave items at your own risk. What do I wear to Plunge? Check out our What to Expect page. Is alcohol allowed at Plunges? Alcohol is not permitted at the Plunge site. If you are intoxicated, law enforcement will not allow you to Plunge. Are the Plunge incentives for sale? We do not sell any of our Plunge incentives because we feel it is a privilege for those who participate and have earned the various incentive levels. If we do have a large amount of incentives left at the end of the season, we ll make the items available online. We do have separate souvenirs that are available for anyone to purchase at the Plunge. What is your refund policy? Charitable contributions are non-refundable, and the minimum Plunge fundraising requirement is considered a charitable contribution and is therefore also non-refundable.
What is your event cancellation policy? We reserve the right to cancel an event due to inclement weather. Safety of participants and spectators is always most important to us, we work with local Law Enforcement to be sure conditions are safe for participants. If you cannot attend the event or the event is cancelled there will be no refunds. If an event were to be cancelled, we do have a make-up date and will inform all Plungers. How long does check in take? We have streamlined our check in process, but can never predict when crowds will be heaviest. We encourage you to arrive early to check-in on the day of the event, and enjoy the Plunge atmosphere. Am I guaranteed to receive my incentive when I check in? We do our best to order enough incentives to cover all the Plungers who participate, but if there is a large increase in Plunge registrations, we may not have everyone s incentives available on site. If you do not receive your incentives the day of the Plunge, they will be mailed to you as soon after the event as possible. What are some tips to make check-in go faster? Register Online at www.plungeseaside.org When possible, contact us prior to arriving at registration with questions about online donations or issues regarding registration. If questions arise that day, we will do our best to help you with them in a timely manner.
I have raised donations both online and offline with cash and checks. How will the volunteers at Plunge check in know how much I have raised? Our check in system has up to the minute totals for your online fundraising, and will be added to anything additional you may turn in on site. Can I trade my incentive after the event? Plungers cannot change their incentive after the event. Incentives are given out based on what your fundraising total is on the day of the event. Any funds turned in after the event will still go towards you fundraising total, but will not change your incentive. I have a group of people that want to Plunge together. Can we form a team? Yes! Forming a team is a great way to motivate one another to raise more money for Special Olympics New Jersey. When registering, select the Create a Team option. Teams must consist of 10 Plungers. Will my Plunge team be able to jump in together? Absolutely. We recommend getting down to the beach early to find a spot for your team to congregate.