New location will bring signature fundraiser to an adventure destination in Sheridan
SHERIDAN, Ind., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Special Olympics Indiana is bringing its 2027 Polar Plunge season showcase to a new location, moving the signature fundraising event from Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis to SKYLAKE Adventures, a new adventure park in Sheridan.
The move marks an exciting new chapter for the Polar Plunge, which has become one of Special Olympics Indiana’s most popular and recognizable fundraisers. The bucket-list experience will continue to challenge Hoosiers to brave the cold and raise funds to support athletes with intellectual disabilities while offering participants a new setting for a day of fun, celebration and community.
“Polar Plunge is about so much more than getting into cold water. It is about people coming together, challenging themselves and showing their commitment to our athletes,” said Jeff Mohler, president and CEO of Special Olympics Indiana. “Eagle Creek Park has been a wonderful partner for so many years. We are excited to take that experience to SKYLAKE Adventures and introduce our plungers to a new venue that gives us even more opportunities to celebrate what makes Polar Plunge so special.”
SKYLAKE Adventures opened in June 2026 just north of Westfield’s Grand Park Sports Campus. The destination’s first phase included a six-acre manmade lagoon, white-sand beaches, floating obstacle courses, water slides and other outdoor attractions. For its new winter adventures, activities will include a large snow tubing hill, ice skating, a three-story ropes course and holiday activities.
The new venue provides a distinctive backdrop for the season-ending celebration while preserving the traditions that have made Polar Plunge a favorite among participants, including costumes, teams, fundraising challenges and, of course, the opportunity to take the plunge for Special Olympics Indiana. Ramp access to the water will create opportunities for individuals who use wheelchairs to participate.
“Special Olympics Indiana is an incredible organization, and the Polar Plunge has become such an iconic tradition in communities across our state,” said Sean “Mouse” Howard, co-founder of SKYLAKE Adventures. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome the athletes, families, volunteers, supporters and plungers to our beautiful new park. We built this place around adventure, bringing people together and creating experiences they’ll remember, so this partnership feels like a natural fit. We’re honored that Special Olympics Indiana has chosen SKYLAKE Adventures for such a meaningful event, and we can’t wait to jump in alongside them.”
The 2027 Polar Plunge season will feature more than 20 events across Indiana from January through March, welcoming individuals, families, businesses, schools, law enforcement agencies and community groups. In 2026, more than 3,000 Hoosiers participated and raised more than $1 million for Special Olympics Indiana.
The two-day event at SKYLAKE Adventures will include a school plunge on Friday and a community plunge on Saturday. Nearly 1,000 individuals registered for those two plunges in 2026.
Funds raised through Polar Plunge help Special Olympics Indiana provide year-round sports training and competition, as well as health, leadership and other programs for more than 20,000 Hoosiers with intellectual disabilities.
Additional details about the 2027 Polar Plunge season, including the complete schedule, registration information and season showcase details, will be announced soon.
For more information, visit PolarPlungeIN.org or soindiana.org.
About Special Olympics Indiana
Special Olympics Indiana is a nonprofit organization that is part of the global Special Olympics movement, created by the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation for the benefit of persons with intellectual disabilities. Its vision is an inclusive world, driven by the power of sport, through which people with intellectual disabilities live active, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
About SKYLAKE Adventures
SKYLAKE Adventures is a year-round outdoor adventure destination in Sheridan, Indiana, just north of Westfield. Opened in June 2026, SKYLAKE gives guests the freedom to build their own experience, from relaxing on white-sand beaches and enjoying water attractions in the summer to climbing, exploring and taking on new adventures throughout the year. During the winter season, SKYLAKE transforms with snow tubing, ice skating and a festive holiday atmosphere featuring lights, firepits, seasonal treats and more. Whether guests come for adventure, relaxation or time together, SKYLAKE Adventures offers something new to experience in every season. For more information, visit www.skylakeindiana.com.
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SOURCE SKYLAKE Adventures
