Member Guide

Financial Assistance

The YMCA is an inclusive association of people regardless of one’s inability to pay. The YMCA, through our Annual Campaign, uses contributed funds to ensure that all may participate to the extent funds are available. If fees are a concern, please inquire at the front desk for a scholarship application or learn more on our Financial Assistance page. All records are kept confidential.

Guest Policies

We encourage you to introduce your friends and family to the YMCA. Once they have tried the Y, we know they will fall in love!

• Guests may only enter the YMCA when accompanied by a member.
• Guest privileges are for adult and family memberships ONLY.
• All guests 18 and over must present picture identification, complete a registration and waiver of liability form prior to entry into the YMCA, and have a photo taken.
• A parent or legal guardian is required to accompany all guests under the age of eighteen (18) and present an authorization form for release of liability signed by a parent or legal guardian prior to using the YMCA.
• Appropriate attire must be worn at all times when using the YMCA. Shoes and shirts are required in all areas outside the locker rooms and pool areas. Only shoes with non-marking soles are allowed on the gymnasium floors, exercise studios, tennis/racquetball courts.

Nationwide Membership

Visiting Other Ys: Things to Know Before You Go

As a nationwide member, you now have the added value of visiting Ys across the United States and Puerto Rico. There are a few guidelines to know and follow when you travel:

• Before you travel, contact the Y you intend to visit to make sure it is one of the more than 2,600 locations that participate in Nationwide Membership.
• You must have an active membership to be eligible for Nationwide Membership.
• On average, at least 50% of your monthly visits must be to your Home YMCA (the local association that enrolled you and collects your membership dues).
• If you have known periods of seasonal travel (when you will not be using your Home Y at least 50% of the time or will be a resident of another area for more than 28 days),you will need to place your Home Y membership on hold (or cancel it) and join the Y where you will be living for that time period. Please plan ahead, as it may take several weeks to place your account on hold.
• If you are a college student, you will need to join the YMCA where your usage is 50% or greater. Nationwide Membership is based on individual usage not the family unit. Most Ys have a young adult or college membership option, or you can ask about the financial assistance program.
• Most YMCAs require a photo ID for all visitors. Please bring a photo ID with you for a seamless customer experience.
• You will be asked to sign a waiver when visiting other YMCA locations.

We offer Nationwide Membership because we want to help you reach your health and wellness goals wherever you live, work or travel. This is an essential part of our cause of strengthening communities. We look forward to your visit and hope you enjoy being part of more YMCA communities.

Membership Suspension & Cancellation

Membership Suspension Guidelines

The YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit will enable its members to ‘suspend’ their membership privileges due to temporary work relocations and medical necessities. In order to ‘suspend’ their membership privileges, the member must complete a membership suspension request form available at the branch or email membershiprequest@ymcadetroit.org. The suspension will take effect on the next draft date.

For approved suspension requests:

• Membership privileges may be suspended for a maximum period of three (3) consecutive months per calendar year. A member may suspend his/her membership once in any 12-month period at no charge.
• During the period of suspension, all facility access/usage is denied.
• During the period of suspension, monthly dues will be discounted 100%. The member will be responsible for 0%.

Membership Cancellation

You will never be asked to sign a contract. We never want to see you leave the Y; however, if you need to cancel your membership, please do so at least 10 days prior to your next scheduled draft. Membership terminations can be requested by contacting your local branch or emailing membershiprequest@ymcadetroit.org.

General Branch Guidelines

Inclusive Spaces Policy

The YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit is an inclusive and welcoming organization for all. We welcome all people regardless of ability, age, background, ethnicity/race, faith, gender, gender identity, income, national origin, or sexual orientation. We believe that in a diverse world, we are stronger when we are inclusive, our spaces are welcoming and open to all, and everyone has the opportunity to take part in the YMCA. The YMCA does not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment from members, guests, employees, volunteers, contractors, visitors, or other persons with a business relationship with the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit.

All members have the right to be addressed by name and pronoun corresponding to their gender identity. The YMCA will assign gender as male, female, or nonbinary in the member/program management system based on the member’s preferred identity. The YMCA will assign the name the member wants to be called in the member/program management system and indicate the member’s legal name for accounting purposes. We value each of our members and will act in care and discretion with this information.

In upholding our commitment to inclusion and ensuring safe spaces for everyone, we offer all individuals the use of restrooms and locker rooms that align with that individual’s gender identity, regardless of their assigned sex at birth.

Nonbinary/Transgender members have the right to safe and appropriate locker room and restroom facilities within the YMCA. All members and their permitted guests shall have access to the use of gender-specific locker rooms or restrooms that correspond with their current gender identity and expression of it.

Gender Identity: An individual’s internal sense of being male or female, or something not defined by traditional definitions of male or female. The way an individual expresses his or her gender identity is frequently called “gender expression,” and may or may not conform to social stereotypes associated with a particular gender.

Gender Expression: An individual’s external and social characteristics and behaviors (such as appearance, dress, mannerisms, speech, and social interactions) that may be perceived as masculine or feminine.

Individuals who have a need or desire for increased privacy, regardless of the underlying reason, are welcome to private changing areas within gender-specific locker rooms and universal/family locker rooms available by location.

Respect is a core value of the YMCA, and we respectfully ask all users of our locker rooms and restrooms to exhibit modesty by covering themselves while in common spaces, where possible. Our universal locker rooms provide the most privacy with individual changing spaces.

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 or shoes with non-marking soles, shorts and a shirt (no bare midriffs) are required in the Wellness Center, fitness classes, etc… A swimsuit is required in the pools, whirlpools and saunas. In the swimming pool, infants in diapers must wear specialty swim diapers manufactured specifically 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.

Child Watch

• Child Watch is available for children who are on an active membership. Currently, age requirements may vary by location. Please check with your branch for specific ages.
• A Family Information Form is required to be filled out prior to your first visit. For your child’s safety, you will be asked to update this form on a yearly basis.
• Please check your child in and out upon each visit.
• You will need to remain on the Y premises while your child is checked in to the Child Watch area. Child Watch is available for up to 2 hours per day. Some Ys may put stricter time limits on visits during this time, check with your local Y for details.
• Please refrain from bringing in food, personal toys, electronics, car seats and strollers.
• Child Watch staff are not permitted to bottle-feed infants. Please make sure your child is sufficiently fed prior to your arrival.
• Because Child Watch is not a licensed daycare program, staff members are unable to diaper children. Please bring your child with a freshly changed diaper. Should your child need a diaper change while he/she is in Child Watch, a staff member will come find you in the facility to change your child’s diaper.
• You will be notified if a child is upset and cannot be soothed after 15 minutes.
• Children who are ill must be free of all symptoms for 24 hours before returning to our care.
• Children may be checked in/out only by those members listed on the Family Information Form. A picture ID is required each time the child is checked out of Child Watch.

Please check with your branch for more information including Child Watch age requirements, schedules and hours of operation.

Adult Supervision

All children and guests ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult or in a supervised program while in the facility.

Locker & Locker Room Usage

Lockers are available for daily use during your visit to the Y. We strongly advise the use of locks to protect your personal items, as the Y cannot be held responsible or liable for articles damaged, lost or stolen. Locks left overnight will be removed to allow the use of the locker by other members. Some Y locations offer locker rental as an addition to your monthly dues. Ask the Welcome Center for details. Cell phone use is not permitted while in the locker room.

Tobacco and Alcohol-Free Facility

The YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit requires an alcohol and tobacco-free environment. No alcohol consumption, smoking, dipping or other usage of tobacco is allowed in our building, at our pools, in our parking lot or on the grounds. In addition, E-Cigs, pipes and vapor products are also prohibited.

Photography & Video Recording

All YMCA members and guests may be photographed or recorded by Y staff while participating in YMCA activities or events. These photos will be used for the sole purpose of promoting the YMCA. This includes social media sites. Photography or Video Recording anywhere in the YMCA is prohibited by YMCA members or visitors unless accompanied by a staff person and with special permission granted by the Executive Director.

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phone use is prohibited in the Wellness Center and Locker Rooms. Please use the lobby if you need to take a call or use your phone.

Aquatics Guidelines

Aquatic features vary from facility to facility. Following are general association-wide rules. Please see your branch courtesy counter for branch-specific guidelines. Contact your local YMCA for details on what specific aquatic facilities are available and current reservation protocols.

Swimming Pool Rules

1. For the safety and enjoyment of all participants, the lifeguard is in complete charge of the pool at all times and has the final say in all rule interpretations.
2. One whistle blast from the lifeguard, all patrons must STOP, LOOK and LISTEN to the guard.
3. Two whistle blasts from the lifeguard, all patrons must EXIT the pool IMMEDIATELY.
4. Every swimmer must take a soap shower before entering the pool.
5. Every swimmer must wear a swimsuit that has a lining. Undergarments, cutoffs and/ or gym shorts are not allowed in place of swimwear.
6. No street shoes or strollers are allowed on the pool deck.
7. Food or drink is not allowed on deck – except water in plastic containers and in designated areas.
8. Breath-holding activities and/or prolonged underwater swimming is not permitted.
9. Running and horseplay are prohibited on deck and in the pool.
10. If lightning strikes, all members must evacuate the pool for 30 minutes.

Swim testing

Any swimmer under 18 years of age must take 1 of the 2 swim tests during recreational swims. Adults may be asked to take a swim test at the lifeguard’s discretion.

Swimmers who cannot pass either test or refuse to take either test will be issued a Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Parents with multiple children may work/play with children within arm’s reach if they are 1:1.

Swimmers will be issued a wristband designating the area in which they may swim. (Red – shallow with PFD, Yellow – shallow PFD not required, Green – access to all areas).

Lap Swim

1. Children are permitted in the pool, except during reserved adult time, provided they are continuously swimming laps and meet the minimum age requirement. Please see the aquatics department for age specifications.
2. Swimmers should select a lane, designated by the YMCA, suitable to their swimming speed.
3. When only two or fewer lanes are open, please adjust your speed accordingly.
4. Inform other swimmers in a lane before entering that lane.
5. When two or more swimmers are in a lane, please keep to the right side of the lane and circle swim.
6. When there are only two swimmers in a lane they may agree to swim side by side.
7. Slower swimmers must yield to faster swimmers at turns.
8. The lifeguard may ask a swimmer to move to another lane if they have not selected a lane appropriate for their speed.

Open Swim

1. See the swim testing policy above.
2. Only Coast Guard Approved PFDs are permitted during recreational swims. The use of these items is restricted to the shallow end of the pool.
3. Swimmers less than 48 inches in height MUST have a parent/guardian in the pool area. Parents must be in the pool with any child under 48 inches that did not pass the deep-end swim test and must keep them within arms length at ALL times.
4. Children who are not FULLY toilet trained MUST wear a swim diaper.
5. Inflatable flotation devices are not permitted.
6. The lifeguard may restrict the use of pool toys, instructional equipment and other recreational equipment at any time.
7. Running, fighting, dunking, flips, sitting on shoulders and horseplay are not permitted.
8. If diving is allowed at the facility, diving is allowed only in designated areas.
9. Back dives and handstands from the side are not permitted.
10. Starting blocks are for the swim team and swim lesson use only.
11. Based on the recommendations of the YMCA of the USA, only YMCA-certified staff members are allowed to utilize YMCA facilities for swim instruction, coaching swimming or personal training services. Our definition of the above is any behavior perceived as one-on-one coaching, fitness training, and/or counseling being provided by someone other than a YMCA employee. Membership privileges may be suspended or terminated for failure to follow this policy.

Family Swim

1. At least one parent or guardian must accompany children into the pool.
2. All open swim rules apply.

Water Slides and Zero Depth Entry

1. Riders must be 48 inches tall to ride the slide, and pass the deep-end test.
2. Riders must stay on their back at all times: feet first.
3. Goggles, swim shoes or PFDs are not permitted on the slide.
4. Equipment is not permitted on the slide.
5. One person at a time.
6. Please follow the waterslide instructions given by lifeguards.

All Open Swim rules apply for zero-depth entry areas and other water features.