The annual Polar Bear Plunge has raised around $240,000 in the last 24 years. (Image Credit: Ness Lake Bible Camp)

By Tommy Osborne

Polar Bear Plunge

Polar Bear Dip prepares for milestone 25th year

Dec 30, 2025 | 12:58 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The annual Polar Bear Dip is returning to the Ness Lake Bible Camp, and it’s a milestone year for the event as it prepares for its 25th annual dip.

“It’s not a polar bear dip, it is THE Polar Bear Dip, because there really isn’t another dip like this anywhere near here at all. You could go to English Bay in Vancouver to the ‘sissy dip,’ as we like to call it, here we’re cutting through over a foot of ice,” said the Camp’s Executive Director Dave Horton.

“It is THE Polar Bear Dip, I think, in Western Canada. I have not heard of one in Canada to this size or this kind of level of epic,” Horton continued.

Last year 178 brave souls took the plunge, raising more than $35,000, and in total more than $250,000 has been raised over the 24 years. The funds raised go directly back into the camp, giving all children a chance to enjoy a full Summer camp experience.

“All the money goes towards a camper sponsorship fund, which allows families who could otherwise not afford camp be able to send their kids to camp. It helps pay for the cost of camp, so that just makes us happy,” said the Camp’s Program Director Dayna Penson.

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Horton encourages you to register if interested, as it secures your spot to take the dip. You can simply show up on New Years Day without registering, but if you do that Horton expects you will likely have a very long wait before its your turn. He and Penson add even if you don’t want to take the plunge, you can also just show up to enjoy the event and support those who jump in.

“This is quite a spectacle to watch, you have to be in a very unique climate […] bring people to this event because there’s nothing else like it,” Horton said.

The Polar Bear Dip will take place on January 1, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Ness Lake Bible Camp. If you would like to sign up you can do so on the Camp’s website.