Ready to start the New Year with a splash? Join us at Lakewood Camping Resort for our annual New Year’s Plunge, a fun and meaningful tradition that helps us symbolically wash away the old year and welcome what’s ahead.

This family-friendly event brings guests together for a refreshing dip, a great cause, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Sand and Surf Stage

How to Participate

Participants must sign up in person at the Information Center by 11:00 AM on December 31. To take part, each participant is asked to bring three nonperishable food items, which will be donated to Backpack Buddies.

Backpack Buddies is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing weekend meals to children who may otherwise go without. Their mission helps ensure local students have access to food outside of school hours, making a real impact in our community. To learn more about the incredible work they do, visit the Backpack Buddies website. 

At sign-up, all participants will receive a wristband. Wristbands are required to participate in the plunge and must be worn throughout the event.

Costumes Encouraged

Crazy hats, fun costumes, and group banners are highly encouraged. This is a celebration, after all! Please be mindful that all costumes should be appropriate and safe for the water.

New Year’s Plunge T-Shirts

All participants who complete the plunge will receive a New Year’s Plunge T-shirt, distributed immediately after the event at the Sand and Surf Stage.
To receive a shirt, participants must:

  • Be wearing their wristband
  • Complete the plunge and be wet from head to toe

T-shirt sizes and quantities are limited, and wristbands must be worn. No exceptions. Lakewood Camping Resort is not responsible for lost wristbands.

Start the Year the Lakewood Way

Whether you’re plunging for the first time or continuing a favorite tradition, the New Year’s Plunge is a memorable way to ring in the year while giving back. Grab your courage, your costume, and your canned goods, and join us for one of Lakewood’s coolest events of the season.

We’ll see you at the plunge!