MEMBER POLICIES 

YMCA Member Policy Pamphlet  

1. 1.  General Information
2. 2.  Membership Guidelines
3. 3.  Facility Use Guidelines
4. 4.  Aquatics Guidelines
5. 5.  Health and Wellness

General Information

Your YMCA Membership

Your YMCA membership gives you access to the facility, select programs and services at no additional cost. With your membership, you can enjoy FREE Adult Fitness Classes, FREE Adult Aqua Fitness Classes, FREE Adult Cycling and FREE Nursery (with a Family Membership).

Joiner’s Fee

The joiner’s fee is paid at the beginning of your YMCA membership. A membership that has lapsed more than 30 days is subject to a joiner’s fee.

Payment Options

The YMCA accepts MasterCard, Visa, Discover and electronic bankdraft. Electronic bankdraft deducts monthly dues from a member’s checking or savings account; accounts will be drafted approximately the 19th of every month. Memberships can also be paid in full annually by cash, money order, check , debit or credit card. Rate adjustments may take place annually.

Any check or draft returned because of insufficient funds will be assessed a fee. The fee will automatically be added to the next draft cycle. A member will be automatically terminated after two consecutive unsuccessful draft attempts.

Membership Cancellation

Electronic bankdraft cancellation must be done, in writing, by the first of the month. All membership cards/key tags are property of the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph YMCA Family Center and should be returned at time of termination. YMCA memberships do not require contracts. It is the responsibility of the member to monitor their bank activity and contact us immediately with discrepancies.

Dress Code

The YMCA is a family association and asks its members to wear family appropriate attire. Members are required to wear appropriate sports clothing: gym shoes with non-marking soles, shorts and a shirt are required in the building and a swimsuit in the pool. Members must wear appropriate attire in the steam room. Rubber “weightloss” suits and excessive clothing are prohibited. In the swimming pool, infants in diapers must wear plastic pants or specialty diapers manufactured for swimming pool use. Clothing with profane or offensive language or pictures is prohibited. The YMCA reserves the right to define inappropriate dress when necessary.

Lost and Found

The YMCA is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Please inquire at the Member Service Desk if a personal article has been lost. We encourage all members and guests to demonstrate responsibility by locking all lockers and by placing small valuables in lockboxes available at the Member Service Desk.

Smoke-free Facility

The YMCA is a smoke-free environment. Smoking is prohibited in the facility and anywhere within 25 feet of the facility.

Facility Access

Children below sixth grade must have an adult parent or guardian in the facility or be participating in a YMCA program.

Medical

A pre-participation medical checkup and an annual medical evaluation by your physician are strongly advised as a precursor to participation in any YMCA program or activity.

Cell Phone/Recording Device Policy

Please confine cell phone use to the lobby. The use of cell phones, cameras, or recording devices are prohibited in the locker rooms and restrooms of the YMCA.

Membership Cards/Key Tags

Each YMCA member is issued a key tag membership card which is valid for the duration of his or her membership. This card is required each time you visit our YMCA. Members may be required to leave this card at the Member Service Desk. Please take the same care of your YMCA membership card as with any other form of identification. Please notify us if you misplace your card so that a new card can be issued. Membership cards are non-transferable and are the property of the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph YMCA Family Center. Improper use or sharing of a membership card may result in termination.

Guest Pass Policy

The YMCA is a membership-driven organization. You’re always welcome at our YMCA and we’d love to have you become part of our YMCA family!  In the meantime, guests are welcome to use our YMCA at non-peak times.

• Daily guest passes are $7 for youths age 17 and under, $10 for adults, and $14 for families, which includes parents and dependent children. Guests must have photo identification.
• From Memorial Day to Labor Day (summer), guests are welcome anytime the facility is open.
• After Labor Day through Memorial Day, guest passes will not be sold at the following times:

  Monday – Thursday	2:15 pm - 7:00 pm
  Friday	2:15 pm - Close
  Saturday	8:15 am - 2:00 pm
  Sunday	12:30 pm - Close

• Please note that guest passes will not be sold to youths from 8 am - 2:30 pm on school days. 

A.W.A.Y. Program (Always Welcome at the YMCA)

Visiting members from an out-of-town YMCA are welcome by showing their YMCA membership card. When members of the BH-SJ YMCA travel to another YMCA, they may do so on a short-term basis. Some associations may charge a nominal fee. Find A.W.A.Y. participating YMCAs on the YMCA of the USA website: www.ymca.net, or ask for assistance at the Member Service Desk.

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Membership Guidelines

In order to maintain a safe, fun and friendly environment, YMCA members, staff and volunteers will practice the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility when dealing with other members, guests, and staff.

• Members must present their membership card in order to be admitted to the YMCA or registering for a class or program.
• Membership level adjustments are made automatically.
• A member allowing a non-member to use his or her membership card may have his or her membership terminated without refund.
• Memberships are non-transferable.
• Members involved in inappropriate behavior as viewed by the YMCA may be asked to leave the building for the day, suspended for an extended time or terminated, (possibly without refund).
• The YMCA will not tolerate any form of discrimination from members, employees, volunteers, and vendors based on race, gender, age, religion, ethnic background, disability, and other protected classes as defined in the federal Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Michigan's Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
• The YMCA reserves the right to terminate membership if the YMCA becomes aware that a member has been convicted of a sex crime or of any other crime that may cause concern for the YMCA. The YMCA reserves the right to investigate the members’ criminal record.
• The YMCA reserves the right to change policies and guidelines. The Executive Director may terminate memberships without notice for violations of the Membership Guidelines or Code of Conduct.

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Facility Use Guidelines

Indoor Running Track / Multi Purpose Room

Please enjoy our indoor running track year round. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Cardio Strength Center

Children 12 years old and younger are not permitted in the Cardio Strength Center. For youth 13 and over, orientations are required on the cardio equipment. Members are required to attend a free orientation on proper use of the Nautilus Training Circuit.

Free-Weight Area

Teens 13 to 17 years old may use the free-weight room after completing an orientation and parents have signed the adolescent release form. Children 12 years old and under are not permitted in the free-weight room except during special staff-supervised programming times. Staff must be present.

Racquetball

• When a court is open, players may walk on at no charge.
• Reserve a court for a nominal fee up to 14 days in advance.
• Courts are reserved on the half hour from 5:30 am to close. If the courts are being used, players may wait for the next available open court and walk on at no cost. Or, reserve a court up to 30 minutes in advance of the next half hour for a nominal fee.
• Court tickets are prepaid credit for phone reservations; purchase tickets at the Member Service Desk.
• Quarterly court time enables the participant to play the same time each week for 3 months. A limited
  number of quarterly courts are available.
• You will receive credit for courts canceled with a 24-hour notice.

Locker Room

Children ages 5 years old and younger may accompany a parent of the opposite sex into the designated locker room.

Steam Room

• Only adults and youth 15 years and older are permitted to use the steam room.
• Pregnant members and those with other medical conditions are advised not to use the steam room.
• Limit your stay. Never exercise while in the steam room.
• Clothing and/or swimwear is required when using the steam room.
• Shaving in the steam room is not allowed.
• Members exhibiting inappropriate behavior will be asked to leave the facility and may be subject to membership termination.

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Aquatics Guidelines

Swimming Pool Rules

• Soap showers are required before entering the pool.
• The lifeguard on duty has complete authority over the swimming pool.
• Food and beverages are not permitted in the pool area.

Open Swim

• To swim in the deep end of the pool, members will be given a swim skill check by the lifeguard on duty. Swimmers must be able to comfortably swim one length of the pool.
• Children 8 years and younger must be accompanied in the water by an adult.
• Maximum of four children with one adult.
• Children wearing bubble flotation devices must be within arms reach of an adult.
• Children that are not toilet-learned must wear swimpants.
• Recreational flotation devices can only be used on Family Float Night.
• Children may wear bubbles or U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejackets in the shallow end of the pool, but must still be accompanied by an adult (if 8 years or younger).
• Running, fighting, dunking, flips, sitting on shoulders and horseplay are not permitted.
• Diving is permitted only in the deep water.
• Back dives and handstands from the side are not permitted.
• Starting blocks are for the swim team and lessons only.
• For a complete list of regulations, please see Pool Rules posted in the pool area.

Lap Swim

• Lap swim is open to adults and children 14 years and older.
• Choose a lane, marked by the YMCA, suitable to your swimming speed.
• When 4 or more swimmers are in a lane, please keep to the right side of the lane and circle swim.
• Slower swimmers must yield to faster swimmers at turns.

Family Swim

Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult in the water. Maximum of four children with one adult.

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Health and Wellness

Fitness Appraisal

Find your starting point with a fitness evaluation. Annual evaluations are encouraged for all facility members for a nominal fee. A fitness evaluation tests your overall physical fitness by measuring body fat percentage and testing cardiovascular endurance, upper body strength, abdominal strength, and flexibility. It helps members identify and begin to address their health and fitness goals. Inquire about scheduling your evaluation at the Member Service Desk.

Equipment Orientations

We want you to be successful at the YMCA. We provide a variety of FREE orientations to help you and your family become familiar with our fitness equipment.

• Nautilus Circuit Orientation: Members, 13 and older are required to complete a Nautilus orientation prior to using the Nautilus Strength Training Circuit.
• Adult Strength Orientation: Adults are introduced to the free weights and training equipment in the Multi-Purpose Room.
• Youth Strength Orientation: This is designed for youth ages 9-15 who want to learn strength training. Emphasis is on teaching proper form, technique and weight room etiquette. Parents must be present at orientation for youth ages 9-12. Please make an appointment at the Member Service Desk. Open to YMCA members only at no charge.

Group Exercise

A wide variety of land aerobics and water aerobics classes are offered at the YMCA to adult members at no charge. Please see a complete list of classes in the Program Guide. YMCA instructors hold a wide variety of health and fitness credentials including YMCA and other nationally recognized certifications.

Personal Training

Personal Training offers a one-on-one session with a YMCA certified personal trainer. Your trainer can provide an individualized program including strength training, cardiovascular conditioning and weight management while providing motivation, encouragement, guidance and hands-on assistance to help you reach your goals. The YMCA only allows YMCA staff trained and employed by the YMCA to operate as personal trainers in our facility. Personal training sessions may be scheduled in advance. For more information, and to schedule an appointment, please contact our Member Service Desk.

For Our Younger Members

Nursery care is available for children ages 6 weeks through 8 years at no charge to members with a family membership. (Reduced rate for adult members with children). Nursery care is available for up to four hours per day. The purpose of the YMCA Nursery is to offer our members and guests a safe and convenient place for their children. This service is provided for children while parents are on-site. While caring for your child, our program will provide a fun, positive atmosphere. For Nursery hours and fees, please check the Program Guide, or contact the Member Service Desk.