MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Membership Cards and Photo IDs
In order to use the Y, you must always present your membership card at the Welcome Center desk. If you do not have your card, please present a photo identification (ie, driver’s license) to verify your membership. Replacement cards are available for a $5 fee. For security purposes, you must present a photo ID when requesting a replacement card.
Guests
Guests are welcomed! Members may bring one guest per visit. We ask that you bring your guests during non-peak times (determined on a branch-by-branch basis). When accompanied by a member, each guest may visit two times in a calendar year.
Guests Must:
- Be accompanied by a YMCA member.
- Have photo identification such as driver’s license or school ID.
- Pay the daily guest pass fee of $20 per family, $10 per adult, or $5 per youth under age 18.
- Wear the guest wristband while in the facility.
- Adhere to the YMCA Code of Conduct.
- Use the Y during non-peak times
Monthly Membership Fees
Conveniently pay your monthly membership fee with automatic bank account withdrawal or with a credit card. Your account will be charged on either the 15th or 25th of each month – whichever is best for you.
Attire
The YMCA is a family friendly organization, and as such, clothing must reflect our mission, vision, and values.
- Shirts and shoes throughout the building except the pool areas.
- Members and guests must wear exercise apparel that covers the midriff.
- Clothing or accessories must have appropriate graphics and/or language reflective of a family focused facility.
- T-shirts, tank tops, and sleeveless t-shirts are all permissible.
- Athletic and/or closed toe shoes must be worn at all times. Boots, hardsurfaced shoes, flip flops, or open toed shoes cannot be worn in any exercise area. Shoes that have been worn outside are not allowed in the pool areas.
- Swimsuits must be worn when using pool, sauna, steam room or whirlpool
- Socks are required for children using the KidZone areas
Safety/Security
When using the YMCA, please bring a lock to secure your belongings, (including car keys and wallets), at all times. Please leave your valuables at home. Do not leave a wallet, purse, or cell phone locked in your car while you are in the facility. The YMCA is not responsible for theft or damage to your property. Use of cameras and cell phones are not allowed in locker rooms. The YMCA staff is trained to deal with blood-borne pathogens and open wounds. All necessary equipment is available at the YMCA. We reserve the right to limit or restrict the use of our facilities if there is a risk of spreading or transferring any communicable or infectious diseases.
Inclement Weather Policy
If inclement weather occurs, YMCA programs and KidZone will operate normal activity schedules as appropriate. In the case of storms with lightning, our pools will be closed according to branch protocol. In cases of extreme weather, please call your neighborhood YMCA. Log on to www.grymca.org for more information, or watch for details of closings on all local radio/TV stations.
Program Refund Policy-Voucher
Program fees are set to provide quality services. They represent the cost of providing program activities and/or services not included in your membership dues. Quality programming is a priority for the YMCA. If you are not completely satisfied with your program, please contact the Program Director at the branch where you participate.
The YMCA prides itself in providing a variety of quality, fee-based programs. If you are not completely satisfied with a special program you have paid for, please contact the Branch Program Director about a refund or voucher for another program.
Smoking Policy
YMCA facilities are smoke-free environments. Smoking or use of any tobacco products is not permitted in the YMCA facilities or on YMCA property.
Weapons Policy
For your own safety and the safety of others, the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids does not allow dangerous items to be brought onto YMCA property. Possession or use of firearms and other weapons on YMCA property is prohibited. This includes all YMCA office buildings and surrounding areas, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and vehicles.
Member/Participant Code of Conduct Policy
The YMCA strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all members and participants. To promote safety and comfort for everyone, all individuals are asked to act appropriately at all times when in our facility or participating in our programs.
We expect persons using the YMCA to act maturely, to behave responsibly, and to respect the rights and dignity of others. Our Member/Participant Code of Conduct Policy lists examples of prohibited actions.
Such actions include but are not limited to the following:
- Using, possessing, buying, selling, or delivering alcohol or illegal chemicals on YMCA property, in YMCA vehicles, or at YCMA sponsoring programs
- Smoking on YMCA property—the YMCA and its property is a smoke-free environment
- Carrying or concealing a weapon or any device or object that may be used as a weapon
- Harassment or intimidation by words, gestures, body language, or any type of menacing behavior
- Physical contact with another person in an angry, aggressive, or threatening way
- Verbally abusive behavior, including angry or vulgar language, swearing, name-calling, or shouting
- Sexually explicit conversation or behavior; any sexual contact with another person on YMCA property, in YMCA vehicles, or at YMCA sponsored programs
- Unsafe or inappropriately distracting, immodest, or sexually revealing attire
- Theft or behavior that results in the destruction or loss of property or injury to a person
- Loitering within or on the grounds of the YMCA
- Engaging in conduct that unreasonably interferes with another member of staff person’s enjoyment of the YMCA
Members and participants are encouraged to take responsibility for their personal comfort and safety by asking any person whose behavior threatens their comfort or unreasonably interferes with their enjoyment of the YMCA to refrain from such behavior. Anyone who feels uncomfortable in confronting a person directly should report the behavior to a staff person or the Manager on Duty. YMCA staff members are ready to be of assistance.
In order to be able to carry out these policies, we ask that members and participants identify themselves to staff when asked. The branch leadership will investigate all reported incidents. The YMCA reserves the rights, among other things, to deny access, revoke membership, and/ or remove any person from the facility on the spot who violates any of the above behaviors, or any other behavior that may be detrimental to others. This is the sole discretion of YMCA management. The branch leadership, in his/her discretion, will determine whether a violation of the YMCA Member/ Participant Code of Conduct has occurred.
Facility Usage Guidelines
Under 5
- Eligible for KidZone (drop-in care) beginning at age 2 months old. Reservations may be required.
- Are encouraged to participate in programs appropriate for their age group. Parent observation may vary based on the program.
Age 5-9
- KidZone/ FitZone (drop-in care) available. Time limits may vary from branch to branch.
- Are encouraged to participate in programs appropriate for their age group. Parent observation may vary based on the program.
- Strive® circuit equipment/ track (ages 5-9) require direct parent supervision. Parent/ child orientation required.
- 4’0” height requirement for use of Strive® equipment.
- Other Youth fitness areas ages 8 and up. Parent/child orientation and waiver required. Parent and/or staff supervision required.
- Where youth fitness equipment does not exist, ages 7 and up, may utilize adult strength/cardiovascular equipment with a fitness orientation, direct parent supervision, and proper screening.
Age 10-12
- Children ages 10 and older may use the facility without adult supervision.
- Children may use cardiovascular equipment areas after a fitness orientation, and a parent must be present.
- In Strive® areas, children must participate in a fitness orientation, but a parent does not need to be present during workout time.
- For ages 12-15, a parent/legal guardian must participate in the group exercise class with the child.
- Ages 10-17 are allowed in TeenZone area. (Southeast YMCA age 9).
Ages 13-15
- Ages 13 and 14 must have orientation and signed consent form from a parent or legal guardian to utilize the pin select exercise equipment.
- At age 15, members may utilize the free weight area.
Pool Rules Addendum (Updated March 2012)
- Children under the age of 8 who have not passed the swim test must have an adult in the water, no further than arms-length away.
- Children under the age of 8 who have passed the swim test must have adult/guardian supervision on the deck.
- Children age 8 and older who have not passed the swim test must wear a life jacket and remain in the shallow end of the pool. If parent/guardian is accompanying the child, they must remain within an arms reach of the adult/guardian while in the pool.
- Children age 8 and older who have passed the swim test do not need adult/guardian on the deck, but until the child reaches the age of 10 the adult/guardian must remain in the facility.
- All non-swimmers of any age should not go deeper than the armpit of the adult/guardian that is accompanying them in the water.
Swim Testing Guidelines
- Adults must accompany all children under the age of 8 who have not passed the swim test in the water. Non-simmers of any age should not go deeper than the armpits of the adult/ guardian, and should not enter the deep end. Anyone needing a Coast Guard approved flotation device should have an adult/guardian in the water with them at all times, be within an arm’s reach, and must remain in the shallow water.
- Children under the age of 8 that can pass the swim test, must have direct parent/guardian supervision on the pool deck. If children over the age of 8 have passed the swim test, then direct parent supervision is not required. All those under 18 must pass the swim test prior to entering the water deeper than the armpits (using slide and dive if appropriate).
- Age 8 and up may be in the pool areas alone.
Massage Therapy
- 18 and up. Any ages under 18, a signed consent form will be required by parent or legal guardian.
Personal Training
- 12 years and up; a signed consent form will be required by parent or legal guardian.
- Exceptions are evaluated on a case by case basis with the YMCA Director approval.
Membership
Suzanne Mellema David D. Hunting YMCA MemberI’ve been a member of the YMCA since 1999. I joined initially to lose some weight, but the more I started exercising, the more I realized that the benefits of exercise include so much more than that. Since I’ve become a member, I’ve improved my over-all well...