Policies & Procedures

Nationwide Membership is offered as a benefit for all active, full-facility, full-privilege members. To participate, members simply need to maintain an active membership at their home Y; no additional fee is charged to participate. 

NUMBER OF VISITS AND EXTENDED VISITS TO OTHER Ys Nationwide members may visit other participating Ys as often as they like, as long as  they use their home Ys, on average, at least 50 percent of the time. If   nationwide members have a family membership or some other inclusive membership arrangement and regularly use two Ys with the same frequency, they need to belong to the Y in the community where they live. Members wishing to end their membership must do so at their home Y.

Nationwide members—snow birds, college students, and seasonal residents, for example—may live in a region away from their home Y for an extended period of time. If they intend to live away from their home Y for more than 28 days, they need to transfer their membership and pay membership dues to the participating Y they are visiting; this Y then becomes their home Y while they are in temporary residence.  Ideally, these members will place their membership on hold when they leave their home Y and, on their first visit to the Y in the new location, activate a new membership there.  After the 28 days pass since their first visit, the visited Y can then require them to join. 

Personal Coaching/Personal Training

Personal training is available at all branches for an additional fee. For liability reasons, we do not allow members, outside trainers or coaches to privately instruct other members or guests on YMCA property.

Class Registration

Full members and program participants may register for classes online during specific dates indicated online. Registration opens for members two days before registration opens to the public. Members and program participants are required to register for most programs, even those with no fees. If fees apply, they must be paid at the time of registration. Fees will not be prorated due to late registrations.

Missed Classes

There are no make-up classes or refunds/credits due to missing class.

Financial Assistance

The Great Miami Valley YMCA is a not-for-profit organization committed to helping people reach their full potential in spirit, mind and body. We are here to serve people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and incomes. The funds available for Financial Assistance are made possible through the generosity of our members and donors in our annual Annual Support Campaign. We believe a strong sense of ownership and pride is developed if the recipient has contributed to the cost of their YMCA involvement; therefore, applicants will be asked to pay some portion of the fees.

Cancellation

Thirty-day written notice is required for all cancellations, this must be done in the branch. If rejoining occurs after 60 days, an activation fee will apply.

Hold Policy

Membership can be placed on hold for a maximum of three months in a calendar year January - December. 

Credits and Refunds

Refunds will not be given once a class begins, as spaces are limited and the reserved spot could have been taken by another participant. If the Y cancels a program or class, the participant will receive an online credit or refund for the amount of the program.

If a transaction is declined for payment during a regularly scheduled draft, for any reason, a non-refundable declined payment service fee of $15.00 will be charged to the member.

Closings

All locations are closed Independence Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, open limited hours on New Year’s Day, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. All locations  are open limited hours on Memorial Day and Labor Day. The Y closes during Level 3 Emergencies.

Email

The Y collects email addresses to communicate electronically with members and participants. If you do not wish to receive YMCA e-communications, choose the “unsubscribe” option when you receive your first email.

Expulsion Policy Circumstances

Expulsion Policy Circumstances that may lead to permanent expulsion include, but are not limited to, physical harm to another person; sexually offensive actions or threat of such actions; confirmed listing as a registered sex offender; and/or any violent or improper behavior against another person. Permanent expulsion is reserved for situations where suspension will not adequately protect YMCA members, volunteers, program participants and staff.

Youth-Facility Usage

Ages 9 & under: Must be supervised by an adult at all times

Ages 10-12: Lap swim, open swim - see Swim Test Policy Open gym Racquetball (Fairfield & Hamilton Central only) Indoor Track (Fairfield and Middletown only) Wellness Center, Youth Strength Training Center (Atrium only) & Group Exercise upon successful completion of Youth Wellness Certification Course

Ages 13 - 17: Lap swim, open swim - see Swim Test Policy Open gym - see branch for times Racquetball (Fairfield & Hamilton Central only) Wellness Center & Group Exercise upon successful completion of two wellness center orientations

Ages 15 - 17: Free Weight Room

Youth in Group Exercise Classes

Youth ages 10 -12 that have successfully completed the age appropriate Youth Wellness Certification are eligible to register and participate in Group Exercise classes at any Great Miami Valley YMCA branch. As the Youth Wellness Certification is offered only to full members, program members are not eligible to participate in group exercise classes until the age of 13. Just as in the Wellness Center,
parents/guardians must be present at all times during the time that youth are participating in Group Exercise classes. For more information regarding this policy, please contact your branch Health & Wellness Director.

*Youth must be 15 years old to participate in Strength Train Together*

Youth Fitness - Wellness Center Policy

10-11yrs - Purple Wristband
Must be a minimum of 56 inches
Must complete one 30 minute Cardio Orientation appointment with a Fitness Coach
Must be within arm’s reach of a parent/guardian at all times
Cannot use Jacob’s Ladder or Stair Climber
Atrium Family YMCA Only : Must complete 2 appointment, Youth Certification with a Fitness Coach so that they may also utilize the Life Fitness Equipment.

12-14yrs - Orange Wristband
Must be a minimum of 56 inches
Eligible for evaluation/approval to use Selectorized Equipment (weight machines)
Must complete 2 appointment, Youth Certification with a Fitness Coach
Must be with a parent/guardian when using Selectorized equipment,
Cannot use Jacob’s Ladder or Stair Climber
Certification may be challenged or revoked at any time due to inappropriate or unsafe behavior 

15 + yrs - White Wristband Optional 
Access to full Wellness Center, white wrist band optional (including free weights, Jacob’s Ladder and Stair Climber)

Please direct any questions or concerns to our Association Wellness Lead by clicking here.

Swim Test Policy

• All youth under 16 must be wearing wristband while swimming

• Swim Tests will be given to youth under 16 but can only be attempted once per day

• After completion of swim test, the child’s name will be recorded for future use.

Swim Bands

Green Bands:

• Can go anywhere in the pool

• Can use slide or diving board where available

• Children under 10 must still have a parent present in the pool area

Yellow Bands:

• Ages 10-16 must have a parent in the pool area and the child must stay in shallow water while the parent supervises on deck.

Red Bands:

• Children under age 10 are always within arm’s length of an active adult (18 or older) who is in the water with the child.

• One adult can have a maximum of three nonswimmers in their care.

Outside Coaches/Personal Trainers/Instructors

For the safety of our members, we do not allow members, outside trainers, instructors or coaches to privately instruct other members or guests on YMCA property. Any individuals not employed by the YMCA are prohibited from training or conducting business in a YMCA facility. Personal training is available at all branches for an additional fee. Any group of individuals participating in a workout together where a leader can be identified will be asked to cease immediately.

Safety

• Proper footwear and attire required. No open toed shoes, bathing suits, or other inappropriate clothes allowed.
• Please place all personal items in the locker rooms or other specified area.
• Food, drink or gum is prohibited. Water only.

Etiquette

• Please rack weights and return items after use.
• Please limit use of cardio machines to 30 minutes during peak times.
• Allow others to work in between sets.
• Refrain from using obscene or inappropriate language or gestures.
• Wipe down machines before and after use. Please spray towel, then wipe down equipment.
• Do not listen to music on speaker.
• Do not film/photograph other members.
• Please wear modest exercise attire.