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Taking the Plunge


Not everyone is willing to thrust themselves into an icy, midwinter lake. But that’s just what 40 students did during the 2011 Polar Bear Plunge. Sponsored by Delta Sigma Phi's Theta Lambda chapter and Phoenix, a women's philanthropic group at Dickinson, the Feb. 26 fundraiser generated approximately $850 to benefit Special Olympics, blowing last year’s total of $500 out of the (bone-chilling) water.

The students had the choice of registering individually ($10) or as part of a group ($100 per group of 12-15). While guidelines stipulated that they must stand waist-deep in the water for 30 seconds, the 30-degree air dictated otherwise.  

Luigi Fu ’11, who helped organize the event, gutted out 20 seconds in the ice-topped lake. “The water was freezing cold,” he said.


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  • The Polar Bear Plunge was held at Laurel Lake. The 25-acre lake is located in Cumberland County's 696-acre Pine Grove Furnace State Park, a short drive from campus.
    To the Lake!
  • Participants ready themselves for the start of the event.
    Ready, Set ...
  • The chilly lake claims its first victim.
    3-2-1 Contact!
  • Plungers react to the freezing-cold water.
    Screamingly Cold
  • Members of Delta Sigma Phi's Theta Lambda chapter pose at Laurel Lake.
    Delta Sigma Phi
The Polar Bear Plunge was held at Laurel Lake. The 25-acre lake is located in Cumberland County's 696-acre Pine Grove Furnace State Park, a short drive from campus.Prev ImageNext Image

By MaryAlice Bitts Jackson
Photos by John Jones IV '11