2012 "Bathing for the Brave"

Saturday, JANUARY 28, 2012

Register On-Line! Download and fill out the registration form and either email it to APCMplunge@gmail.com or print it out and mail or fax it back!

Download your Pledge form here! Plungers will need this form to collect their pledges.

FIRST-TIME Plungers! Get all the info you need to know here and review this entire page for answers to all your questions. Still have some?
Call the museum at (413) 572-4014

Hampton Ponds State Park - Westfield MA

Amelia Park Children's Museum is challenging all to bath in the cool waters of Hampton Ponds State Park in Westfield.

Pre-registration at the Museum on
Friday, January 27th 6-8 p.m.
Submit your registration and all your pledges, receive your plunger packet and avoid lines on the day of the event.

On-site Registration starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Safety Briefing at 12:45 p.m.

Start plunging at 1 p.m.!

Kids under 18 can plunge with a signed waiver from a parent/guardian and the parent needs to be present at the event.

Awards/Prizes

• Penguin Excelsior - 2012 Plunger Raising the Most Money
• Individual Best Costume Award

Are you brave enough to take the plunge??

GENERAL EVENT INFORMATION

Q: What is the minimum amount that I need to raise to Plunge?

A: Individual Plungers need to raise at least $50. Participants raising higher amounts are eligible for greater incentives.

Q: Where/how do I turn in my money on Plunge day?

A: Any monies you have in-hand should be turned in at the Registration area on Plunge Day or the Friday (day before) the Plunge.. This includes cash, checks, and money orders.

Q: What prizes are available to participants who raise more than the minimum $50?

A: The coveted Penguin Excelsior for raising the most money!

Q: How far do I have to go into the water?

A: We do not have any depth requirements for the Plunge. Instead, 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 and then go home. They are all Plungers in our book!

Q: How old do you have to be to Plunge?

A: While we do not have any age restrictions, participants under the age of 18 must have written consent from a parent or legal guardian. Over the years, many young children have participated quite safely and we defer to the parents on what makes the most sense for their family. Remember, Plunging can mean dipping a hand or a big toe, which is plenty of cold water for a little one!

Q: Is there someplace where I can change before and/or after the Plunge?

A: For the comfort of our Plungers, 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 Amelia Park Children’s Museum are 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.

Q: What should I wear to the Plunge?

A: Pretty much whatever you want, within the following guidelines: Wearing shoes is strongly encouraged – the sand is very cold and this will go a long way towards increasing your comfort Costumes are encouraged for the contest, but discouraged for the actual Plunge as bulky materials can be dangerous (just ask Sponge Bob!) to the wearer. The costume contest is held before the Plunge in order to allow participants to look their best! 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.

Q: I am a first-time Plunger. Can you tell me what I should expect when I arrive?

A: The most fun you’ll ever have at the beach in January! You should expect a very large crowd and lots of energy. If you haven’t already picked up your Plunge packet, you will generally want to head directly to the Registration tent to get your t-shirt. Then, depending on what time you are. You should listen for announcements about when to change and get ready, which occur an estimated 15-20 before each of the scheduled Plunge times.

DONATIONS / FUNDRAISING

Q: Who should checks be made out to?

A: Checks should be made out to Amelia Park Children’s Museum, which can also be abbreviated as “APCM”. Please include in the memo area of the check the Plunger’s name or the name of the team that is to be credited.

Q: I have received additional donations for the Plunge but the event is over. What should I do with them?

A: Donations to the Plunge are accepted at any time of the year, and simply need to be mailed or delivered to: Amelia Park Children’s Museum 29 South Broad Street P.O. Box 931 Westfield, MA 01085 Please be sure that the name of the individual or team that the donations should be credited to is clearly indicated.

Q: I/my team raised funds for the Plunge but I was/we were unable to attend. What should I/we do with the money I/we raised?

A: In every case that we have ever been asked this, Plunge participants find that their donors still want their contribution to go to APCM so we encourage you to send the money in. Donations to the Plunge are accepted at any time of the year, and simply need to be mailed or delivered to: Amelia Park Children’s Museum 29 South Broad Street P.O. Box 931 Westfield, MA 01085 Please be sure that the name of the individual or team that the donations should be credited to is
clearly indicated.

Q: I already went through Plunge Packet Pick-Up/Registration at the APCM, but I have a few more donations that people have given me. Since I am already registered, do I still turn these in at Registration, or somewhere else at the event?

A: 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. Should there be a line at Registration, please look for one of the Volunteers, as they will be happy to assist in collecting your donations.

Q: Does APDM issue refunds?

A: Charitable contributions are non-refundable, and the minimum Plunge registration fee is considered a charitable contribution and is therefore also non-refundable.

Q: How long does it take for checks that are mailed in on my behalf to show up in my fundraising total?

A: Generally speaking, contributions will be entered no more than 10 days after they are received by APCM. When checking on a donation that has been mailed, please remember to allow 2-3 days for handling by the USPS. During the week of the Plunge, processing time WILL increase due to the volume of mail received. In this case, contributions may or may not appear on your webpage prior to the event.

Q: Is there a pledge form that I can download in order to give to people who might want to sponsor me?

A: Yes! The pledge form is located here.

Q: What is the minimum amount that my team needs to raise?

A: Teams are not required to raise any specific amount; however, every team member still must raise a minimum of $50.

Q: Can general donations made to our team be split up among team members to give each member the minimum $50 contribution?

A: All Plungers must fund-raise individually. However, we are aware that in some cases a family member or a company will issue one check that is intended to cover multiple team members, but will just use the team name. You can help us to avoid this by asking donors to indicate in advance exactly who they are sponsoring and in what amounts.

PARKING / TRANSPORTATION

Q: Where can I park?

A: Parking is free at Hampton Ponds. In the event that we need more space parking is available at Hampton Ponds shopping center, towards the back (away from businesses).

 

Plunge Policies

• The Penguin Plunge is an alcohol-free event.
• The Plunge is a family event and the event committee reserves the right to remove any participant and/or spectator from the grounds for behavior that does not adhere to the existing policies, and/or is deemed offensive to others. This includes possession of open containers or other illegal substances, public intoxication, lewd or inappropriate costumes, or otherwise disorderly conduct, among other things.
• Following State Parks regulations, anyone found to be in possession of any alcoholic citation for Alcohol in a Non-Designated Area by the Natural Resources Police.
• We are guests of the Hampton Ponds State Park and ask all visitors obey park rules.
• Absolutely NO DIVING allowed.
• Plungers MUST Plunge inside the designated Plunge Zone. Only registered Plunge participants and chaperones of minor Plunge participants (15 years of age or younger) will be granted to the secure Plunge Zone.
• Anyone of any age can participate, but participants under 18 must have signed parental permission from a parent or guardian.
• T-Shirts are guaranteed on Plunge Day only to pre-registered participants who paid the minimum $50 by January 22. If it is not available onsite, it will be made available post-event to all other participants.
• No change will be given at registration. Please have exact change only.
• Plunge attire is swimsuit and/or athletic gear (shorts, t-shirts, etc.), or a costume.
• PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE!