An exclusive plunge for our unified champions schools
Total Raised
$184,812
Total Plungers:2,183
What is the cool school polar plunge?
An exclusive plunge for our unified champions schools
The concept is simple: Students and staff register for a Cool School Plunge and fundraise to help support Special Olympics and earn money for your school in a friendly school-based competition. You can have student groups compete against each other or challenge a neighboring school.
In the process, participants can earn awesome incentives and get a chance to jump into freezing cold water! New this year, is our Plungester! We will be traveling to different schools across the state, hosting school wide plunges (see locations & dates below). Your school can host your own plunge and raise funds as well. Any school that raises more than $500 by Feb 13th will have their choice of inflatable pools or sprinkler with slip-n-slide to use for their school plunge. All schools interested, will receive a “plunge ideas/safety info” guide from us to make sure your plunge is a successful event. Schools raising the most funds this year, will be in the running to host a Cool School plunge with the Plungester next year.
Find a Plunge Near You
INCENTIVES
Incentive items will be redeemed by plungers at the event. Any higher-level incentive item (for raising $1,000+) will be redeemed via redemption link after the event.
Resources
Downloadable PDFs
Fundraising Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate?
Only school staff/students can take part in Cool School Polar Plunges. Unfortunately, parents and community members are not able to Plunge.
Where does the money go?
All Cool School Plunge money goes directly towards Unified Champion Schools in Michigan to help continue to grow Unified programming in schools across the state of Michigan.
What should I bring to plunge?
A costume to plunge in (encouraged, but not required), a towel, a warm change of clothes, a plastic bag for your wet clothes, shoes to plunge in, and any extra cash/check donations.
Can I sign up the day of the plunge?
No, all registration ends 48 hours prior to the plunge. Parent consent is required for anyone under the age of 18 years.
How deep is the Plungester?
4 feet deep.
Is there anyone to help me out of the water?
Yes, there will be Dive and Rescue team members in the Plungester to help you out of the water if needed.
Can I fundraise and earn incentives without taking the plunge?
Yes, register as a “Frozen Fan” on your school’s fundraising page.
What are the fundraising incentives?
Click HERE to see the fundraising incentives for the 2023-2024 Cool School plunges
How does my school become a Cool School Host?
Email k.kuczynski@somi.org to receive more information on how your school can be considered as a host site for the 2024-2025 Cool School Plunges
When do I receive my incentives?
You will receive your incentives upon check-in at the event. Incentives earned are based on the amount of money received in the Plungers account at the time of check-in.
$10+ Sticker Sheet
$50+ T Shirt
$150-$299 Winter Hat
$300-$499 Blanket
$500+ All items
Still have
Questions?
Please contact us if you have any additional questions.
Email our team at
UnifiedSchools@somi.org
Want to host your own event at your school?
You can register your plungers, and we’ll send a Cool School Plunge Kit to any schools that raise $500+ by Feb. 10th, complete with sprinkler and slip-n-slide OR an assortment of blow-up kiddie pools; the choice is yours on how you’d like to be bold and get cold to support Special Olympics Michigan!
We’ll send the shirts and incentives for plungers directly to you, and we will coordinate pick-up of any fundraised money turned-in the day of the event.
