Plungers jump into 2025

SANDPOINT — With a yell, some raced toward the water, charging in — and out — as fast as possible.

Others strolled in, casually before slowly sinking beneath the freezing waters of Lake Pend Oreille as Boy Scout Troop 111 held its annual Polar Bear on New Year's Day on Wednesday.

In all, 309 people braved the cool temperatures, cloudy skies and scattered snow to jump into Lake Pend Oreille to kick off the new year with a plunge into its freezing waters. Another 300 or so people — warmly dressed in thick winter coats, boots and gloves — cheered from the nearby shoreline of Sandpoint City Beach.

For some, it's a tradition, something they've done for years as a fun way to kick off a new year. For others, it's a family bonding experience, with everyone from the very youngest members of the clan to the very oldest taking part.

Phil Voelz, troop scoutmaster, has said the event's success can be traced to the nature of the event — something fun, something community-based and something that helps them connect with others in something that binds people together as a community.

Voelz said he thinks the success of the event this year has to do with people looking for fun, community events to take part in. There seems to be a desire for activities that connect, he added.

The number is comparable to 2024 when several hundred people also ran into the lake to kick off the new year. When the lake around City Beach is frozen, the scouts cut a hole in the ice for the brave and hardy souls to jump into.

"I almost think it's better to when we cut the hole in the ice, yeah, jump in and jump out, rather than walking in or running in," Voelz said.

The event is held in partnership with the city of Sandpoint and, like in the past, the troop opened the event to the community more than a decade ago with this year's event the 11th organized by the troop.

"The city was really good, easy to work with, in regards to the permit process and that kind of thing," said Voelz, who added that because the event is technically a partnership with the city, the scouts can offer the event at no charge instead of possibly charging because they have to pay for insurance and permit fees.

Voelz said the scouts were particularly pleased that this year's Polar Bear Plunge raised several hundred pounds of food for the Bonner Community Food Bank.

"It was enough to fill up the back of a Subaru," he added.

The scouts are already planning ways to further spread the word about the event and will continue to garner donations for the food bank to help those in need in the community, Voelz said.

The scouts’ adoption of the Polar Bear Plunge began in 2015 after the troop heard stories about how Voelz would water ski on New Year’s Day in California. Since it’s too cold to water ski in North Idaho on Jan. 1, the scouts decided to adapt the traditional into a little jump (or in warmer weather, a run) in the lake.

More than 15 scouts took part that first year, with about the same number taking part in 2016. For the troop, it's all about the tradition, doing something fun together and challenging themselves.

Almost all of the troop took part in the with probably 20-plus scouts taking part, including one scout who just joined the troop a few weeks ago.

Troop 111 members and leaders said they are excited to see the Polar Bear Plunge become a treasured community tradition as well as a fun troop tradition.

After a few years of unofficially hosting the plunge as a community event — welcoming the curious and die-hards to their event — the troop made it official, getting permits and permission from both the city and the district council.

The troop takes care in setting up the event, arriving several hours earlier to cut a hole in the ice — if necessary — and set up safety equipment. Scouts trained in first aid — and the appropriate equipment — are on hand and ready to assist any plunger who runs into trouble, Voelz said.

While none of the lifesaving and medical equipment were necessary, Troop 111's leaders and scouts prepare for the event in advance, ensuring all scouts had the ability and training to jump into action should it be needed.

"Luckily it wasn't needed," Voelz said.

    A 2025 Polar Bear Plunge participant holds their hat out of the water to keep it from getting wet after taking part in the New Year's Day event. The plunge is held as a partnership between the city of Sandpoint and Boy Scout Troop 111.
  

    A few of the several hundred people who turned out to take part in the 2025 Polar Bear Plunge, a collaboration between Boy Scout Troop 111 and the city of Sandpoint.
  

    A 2025 Polar Bear Plunge participant gets a hug after taking part in the New Year's Day event. The plunge is held as a partnership between Boy Scout Troop 111 and the city of Sandpoint.
  

    2025 Polar Bear Plunge participants make their way out of the water after taking part in the New Year's Day event.
  

    2025 Polar Bear Plunge participants make their way out of the water after taking part in the New Year's Day event.