The Plunge is back for its 11^th consecutive year. On Saturday, February 11, 2023, Haywood Waterways Association and the Town of Canton are hosting the annual “Plunge Benefit-t-t-ting Kids in the Creek & Environmental Education”. It remains a popular community event, bringing together public officials, schools, businesses, churches, families and others to support kids and clean water. All ages are welcome!

Haywood Waterways is offering two options this year:

1. THE TRADITIONAL PLUNGE

From 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Champion Credit Union Aquatic Center (Canton Pool) located at 77 Penland St, Canton, NC 28716. On-site check-in and registration begins at 10 am.

2. THE PLUNGE CHALLENGE

The Plunge Challenge allows participants to pick the date, time and location to Plunge at their convenience.

COST & PLUNGE DETAILS

The cost is $35 or FREE by raising sponsorships ($10 under 18); 100% of the proceeds benefit the organization’s Kids in the Creek and environmental education programs. All plungers receive a free towel. The depth of plunge is a personal choice, from a dip of the toe to a full-body immersion. Prizes are awarded for best costumes, top fundraisers, best Plunge, and most Plungers. Follow Haywood Waterways on Facebook for updates.

Full instructions to sponsor the event, register as a Plunger, or donate are available in this Polar Plunge Informational Packet. 

Haywood Waterways is a nonprofit watershed organization based in Haywood County, NC. Their mission is to reduce nonpoint source pollution and improve surface water quality throughout the Pigeon River Watershed. They accomplish this through education and focusing attention on the watershed as a natural, economic and recreational resource to be conserved and enhanced for this and future generations. 

Haywood Waterways offers a variety of educational opportunities but their premier event, Kids in the Creek, is consistently one of the most memorable experiences students have from middle school. Kids in the Creek is a hands-on learning experience that gets students in the Pigeon River, flipping over rocks and learning about the river’s incredible water quality. In the event’s 24-year history, Haywood Waterways has reached over 15,500 students, and the students love it: “This was one of my favorite field trips ever. Keep on doing it.”, “I had a wonderful time! I learned how truly big and important it is to take care of our waters.”

So do the teachers: “Kids in the Creek does more to increase students understanding of water and water quality than anything I could do in the classroom. It has been a valuable learning tool for many years and something the students and I look forward to every year.”