Southington Y's Sloper Plunge Pits YMCA Leaders Against Each Other

SOUTHINGTON/CHESHIRE, CT — One of the fringe benefits of working for the Southington-Cheshire YMCA is you get to regularly jump in a lake at Camp Sloper in Southington to cool off.

One drawback, however, is one of those times, has to come in February.

The 2024 Sloper Plunge event will take place Saturday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Southington's Camp Sloper YMCA camp, 1000 East St., Southington.

Like many similar events, area groups, volunteers, and other organizations all raise pledgesunder the condition they must jump in Camp Sloper Pond's icy waters in return.

Proceeds will go toward scholarships to help as many children attend the YMCA's Camp Sloper summer camp as possible.

As the YMCA explains, "kids will need camp more than ever this year to disconnect from screens and reconnect to each other, to be around positive role models, to be outside and active, to try and learn new skills, to make lifelong friendships, and to simply have fun."

But the Southington-Cheshire YMCA has spiced things up a bit with the 2024 event.

A total of 14 YMCA directors/officials are competing against each other to see who can get the most pledges, with the YMCA posting images of them on the event's website.

Members of the fearless 14 are: Mark Pooler, chief executive officer; Jay Jaronko, Southington branch executive; Chrissy Cassesse, Cheshire branch executive; Justin Hubeny, outdoor center director; Nick Charnysh, senior program director; Tom Sangeloty, outdoor program director; Angie Dortenzio, youth program director; Mark Guerin, marketing director; Jolene Miceli, health and wellness director; Tommy Sienkowski, sports performance director; Brandon Riollano, health and wellness program director; Doug Levens, director of community development; Marina Oulundsen, teen program coordinator; and Nick Deshino, Cheshire assistant school-age director.

While the winner of this competition gets bragging rights, the real winner is the children who will be able to enjoy summer camp this summer who, otherwise, might not be able to.

Meanwhile, the YMCA is still encouraging folks and groups to sign up and that can be done via the event's website.

And, if the thought of jumping in a nearly frozen (if not frozen) lake doesn't excite you, you can show up and watch as spectators are allowed this year.

That will probably be more fun than jumping in.

For more information on the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCA's Sloper Plunge and to sign up, click on this link.

From Jan. 19: 'Brave Souls Sought For Icy Dip In Southington Next Month'