The 10th annual Camp Kekoka Polar Bear Plunge will be held from 10 a.m.-noon January 25 at YMCA/APYC Camp Kekoka, 1083 Boys Camp Road, Kilmarnock.
In 2011, Camp Kekoka kicked off its first Polar Bear Plunge to raise money for the Guardian Program, which funds the subsidies that allow children whose parents couldn’t otherwise afford camp to attend, said camp director Cassie Leichty. Last year’s plunge raised $25,000, which enabled 50 children to head off for a week of living, learning and laughing at Camp Kekoka.
Leichty said 60% of campers receive some financial subsidy to attend. Some 404 children attended camp in 2019, an increase of 15% over 2018.
“The plunge helps us ensure that no child sits out because of a lack of funds,” said Leichty. “We’ve never turned away a child for that reason.”
A participants meeting will begin at 10:45 a.m. and the plunge will take place at 11 a.m. Costumed teams and individuals will show their support for the camp’s mission by taking a 20-second plunge into…[to-view-more]