For Cub Scouts from Pack 116 in Princeton, Minn., the New Year began with warm hearts and freezing cold bodies. Eleven Scouts and leaders took part in the 19th annual Lake Minnetonka Ice Plunge on New Year’s Day. The Scouts gathered pledges to help raise money for Darwin “Dar” Durant, an assistant Cubmaster who was recently diagnosed with stage four cancer.
Durant, an Eagle Scout, has been involved with Scouting since 1973. He stood at the edge of Lake Minnetonka and watched as his Scouts dived into the frigid water wearing their uniforms. The money raised by the Scouts will go toward the cost of Durant’s treatment.
During the ice plunge, trained adults stood by ready to help in case of emergency. Once in the water, participants were dragged to a ladder and given warm clothes to put on.
WOW. I would never jump into a lake at below-freezing weather. BRRR