Policies – YMCA of Upper Palmetto

(Youth Fitness Guidelines & Swim Test Policy)

MembershipS

Joining the YMCA

Can you explain the YMCA’s Joining Fee?

The joining fee is a non-refundable, one-time fee that is paid upon joining. As long as the membership remains continuous, the joining fee is only paid once.

If you discontinue your membership and then rejoin within 60 days, the joining fee is waived.

The joining fee is based on your membership type. If you upgrade your membership from a Youth membership to a household membership, the Joining Fee will be applied. In addition, no refunds will be issued for a membership downgrade.

What are my payment options at the YMCA?

We accept major credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover), and e-Check/EFT/ACH. Your automatic withdrawal date will normally be the 5th of each month.

Drafts for afterschool and summer day camp programs must be paid by credit/debit card.

It is your responsibility to notify your YMCA branch to update your payment information.

Membership Types and Dependents

Can you explain the member types and who is a dependent?

Membership Types and Ages

Youth: Ages 12 – 17
Young Adult: Ages 18 – 25
Adult: Ages 26 – 64
Senior Adult: Ages 65 and older
Dependents: Age 25 and younger

*All adults and dependents on a membership type must reside at the same address and pay dues from the same account. Dependents are defined as children 25 years or younger, residing in the same household. Dependents may include grandchildren and other children for whom the member is the guardian and tax dependent. Proof of residency and/or dependency may be requested.

Please note that, in some cases, exceptions may be made. For example, a disabled dependent child over the age of 25 can continue as a covered dependent under the household memberships.

When an individual ages out of their membership type, their membership type will be upgraded within 60 days of their birthday (i.e. an individual on a Young Adult membership turns 26). Dependents must be removed from a family membership within six months of their 26th birthday. Former dependents may join as an Adult without paying a joining fee. After six months, a joining fee will be required.

Membership Cards and Photos

All members are required to have their photo taken. The photo will only be used in the YMCA’s internal system.

Branch Utilization

Does it matter which YMCA I join?

We ask that you join the YMCA location you plan to use the most. Usually, this is the YMCA closest to where you live and/or work.

How many facilities do I have access to?

As a YMCA Member, you have full access to all YMCAs in York and Lancaster Counties, as well as Nationwide Membership access.

Does it matter where I scan?

Periodically, we review member usage statistics. We may notify you and transfer your branch affiliation and fees to the YMCA you frequent the most.

MEMBERSHIP CHANGES

How do I make a change to my membership?

To add or remove members to your membership or upgrade/downgrade membership type, complete a Change Form at any of our branch locations. Changes must be submitted on or before the last day of the month.

How do I change my personal information?

Please stop by, or call, your branch’s Membership Desk to update any changes to your personal information. You can add new payment methods by logging in to your online account. You must have an email address on file to have a web user account. If you have trouble accessing your online account, please stop by, or call your branch’s Membership Desk.

MEMBERSHIP HOLD POLICY

YMCA of Upper Palmetto members may temporarily hold their membership for 2 to 4 months due to illness or a leave of absence. Holds may only be used ONCE during each calendar year. Drafts will automatically resume when a hold ends unless a cancellation form is received.

Rejoining, Refunds & Returned Payments

If I decide to rejoin the YMCA, do I have to pay the joining fee again?

Members who cancel their membership and rejoin within 60 days pay no joining fee.

Can I get a refund for my dues and fees?

YMCA joining fees, membership dues and child care deposits are nonrefundable. Please reference are refund policies below.

What happens if I have a returned payment?

Credit Card/Bank drafts are continuous each month regardless of your usage of the facility until proper change and/or cancellation procedure is followed. If for any reason your payment is returned, we will try three additional times to process. Failure to process will result in a canceled membership.

If credit or debit card payments are rejected, it is your responsibility to contact your YMCA branch to resolve payment issues.

If you file a draft dispute with your bank, the payment will be reverted and marked as due again on your account. If you dispute a membership charge and the bank returns your money, your membership will be cancelled. Those fees will be due again before you can rejoin or register for a program.

Nationwide Membership

I have a YMCA membership in another state, can I visit your YMCA?

Visiting active YMCA members from any other state are welcome to visit a YMCA of Upper Palmetto branch free of charge. YMCA Nationwide Membership restrictions may apply. Visiting members from YMCAs outside the YMCA of Upper Palmetto are not eligible for member program pricing.

Usage

On average, at least 50% of your visits must be to your home YMCA – the location YMCA/association that enrolled you and collects your membership dues. If you are a college student, you will need to join the YMCA where your usage is 50% or more. Nationwide Membership is based on individual usage, not the family unit. More details can be found here.

Code of Conduct

The YMCA of Upper Palmetto is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment. Members, program participants and guests are expected to follow the Code of Conduct to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.

All members, program participants and guests must check in through the membership service desk.

All members must present and scan their membership key tag when entering the facility.
Enrolled program participants who are not members may only participate in their program and do not have the liberty to use the entire facility.
Members opening entrance/exit doors to “sneak” individuals into the YMCA building are in violation of YMCA policy.
Guests must present a valid state issued ID and complete a guest form and waiver.

PERSONAL TRAINING AND COACHING

Personal training or coaching is provided for a fee at the YMCA by YMCA employees only. An individual may be viewed as personal training/coaching if he/she is:

Receiving payment for an exercise or coaching session
Designing a program or workout
Providing exercise, sports technique or swim technique
Running an actual sports practice of any kind or drills
Using cones, chairs, whistles, agility or YMCA equipment

Failure to comply with the Fee-Based Training and Coaching Guideline is in direct violation of YMCA policy.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

The YMCA reserves the right to run background checks on its members and/or program participants as well as screening for sex offenders. The YMCA reserves the right to deny access or membership to any person who:

Violates the Code of Conduct
Is a registered sex offender
Has been accused or convicted of any crime involving sexual abuse.

PROHIBITED ACTIONS

Our Code of Conduct outlines prohibited action, but the actions listed below are not an all-inclusive list of behaviors considered inappropriate in our facilities or programs:

Inappropriate attire– Appropriate attire must be worn at all times. No clothing with vulgar language, obscene gestures, racial slurs or anything that would contribute to a hostile environment or would be considered inappropriate in a YMCA facility. Tops and bottoms should adequately cover a person’s body based on the activity. Immodest or revealing attire is not allowed (chests and midriffs should be completely covered—no bralettes or other types of undergarments, sports bras, etc. showing)
Improper footwear – Closed-toe athletic shoes are required on the fitness floor and in the basketball gym. Footwear requirements may vary in aquatics area or select classes (ex. Yoga studio)
Hostile or vulgar language, including but not limited to swearing, name calling and/or shouting
Physical contact with another person in any angry, uncomfortable or threatening way
Any demonstration of sexual activity or sexual contact with another person
Harassment or intimidation by words, gestures, body language or other menacing behavior
Photography, video or audio recording through a cell phone or any other electronic device without prior approval of YMCA staff
Use of cell phones in locker rooms or where signage indicates cell phones are not permitted
Theft or behavior that results in the destruction of property
Carrying open carry or concealed weapon(s), devices or objects that may be used as a weapon
Using, possessing or association with alcohol or illegal substances in the YMCA’s facilities, grounds, outbuildings, parking lots, etc.
The use of any tobacco products on YMCA property (cigarettes, chew, snuff, vapor e-cigarettes, etc.). The YMCA facilities and its property is a tobacco-free environment.
Littering
Loitering is not permitted in or outside the YMCA
Vandalism or damaging YMCA facilities or properties in any way

If a member, participant or guest feels uncomfortable about the behavior of another member/participant/guest or other issues that are in violation of the Code of Conduct, they should report the behavior to a YMCA team member. The YMCA (as a private corporation) reserves the right to suspend, cancel or terminate a member or program participant’s right to YMCA services and/or facilities at its sole discretion.

Facility Policies

youth fitness policy

Ages 9 & Under – Not allowed on fitness floors or indoor track with or without a parent present

Ages 10-11 – Blue Wristband

Access to cardio machines, indoor track and pin select machines (parent/guardian within arm’s length)

Ages 12-14 – Orange Wristband

Full access to cardio machines, indoor track and pin select machines
Access to group exercise classes and free weight area (parent/guardian within arm’s length)
*Excludes functional training rooms

Ages 15 and up – No Wristband

Full access to all equipment

Click here to view the Youth Fitness Policy. Register your child for their wristband at this link.

Swim Test Policy

Children, ages 13 and under, will be REQUIRED to swim test to determine swimming ability. A colored wristband, green or red, will be required before entry into the pool. Green Band swimmers have access to all pool areas. Red Band swimmers are required to wear a life jacket or PFD, which includes those who are unwilling to swim test.

programs

Member & Non-Member Rates

In order to maintain the benefit of member pricing, your membership must remain active for the duration of the program. Cancelling your membership at any time will result in your programs defaulting to the non-member rate.

Only active YMCA of Upper Palmetto members are eligible for member pricing for programs.

Waitlist

If you were added to a waitlist, but have not paid for the program, the YMCA will contact you to confirm your status and collect payment prior to the start of the program. If no space becomes available, there will be no refund.

Outstanding Balances

Program registration may be restricted if there are unpaid, unscheduled balances on your account.

Authorized Pick-Ups

During registration for childcare programs, you will be asked to list all authorized pick-ups for your child and will be asked to include their date of birth and phone number. YMCA staff will not release a child to anyone other than the authorized parents/guardians or other individuals authorized, in writing, by parents.

Payment of Program Fees

Afterschool and/or Summer Day Camp program payments must be made in accordance with the payment structure as outlined on the registration form. Credit or debit card drafts occur weekly early Saturday morning prior to the enrolled week of afterschool or camp. In the event of a declined credit or debit card draft, the program fee and up to a $35 service fee will be due. Failure to pay two consecutive drafts will withdraw the child(ren) from the program until full payment of the balance is made. Any changes to your credit/debit card must be made by Friday, prior to the weekly draft.

All deposits are non-refundable.

Youth Programs Illness Policy

Please do not send your child to YMCA programs with any of the following symptoms:

Sore throat
Excessive coughing
Diarrhea or vomiting
Fever
Head lice
Undiagnosed rash, sore, or other skin condition
Any other contagious disease or symptom

A child must be diarrhea, vomiting and fever-free for a full 24 hours before returning to the program. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) considers a person to have a fever when he or she has a measured temperature of at least 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

cancellations

Membership Cancellations

Membership cancellations and changes must be submitted in writing to the Y and must be received in-person by the last day of the month to avoid further bank draft charges. Failure to do so will result in that month’s draft amount being non-refundable.

Cancellation forms can be completed at any of our eleven YMCA branches. Verbal requests, phone calls, messages, faxes or emails requesting cancellation will not constitute written notice. You are responsible for checking your bank and credit card accounts to confirm that automatic payments have been stopped. Errors do occur; please retain the carbon copy of your cancellation form as proof.

Prepaid (annual) memberships are nonrefundable. Memberships do not automatically cancel due to inactivity.

YMCA Program Cancellations

If the YMCA cancels a specific program for any reason (except for those outside the YMCA’s control), a program credit will be issued. If a refund is due, the refund will first be applied to any past due balances (program fees, membership dues, etc.). All refunds are issued to the original form of payment.

The YMCA will not provide refunds for inclement weather.

If the school/school system changes the calendar, the YMCA will process appropriate refunds by-the-week or by-the-day affected by the change.

Participant Program Cancellations

To withdraw your child from a week of day camp with no payment penalty, a two week written or electronic notification is required in order to not be charged.

If cancelling before a program has started,

Cancellations submitted 14 business days or more before the start date of a program will receive a full refund to the original payment method, minus any nonrefundable deposits or registration fees.
Cancellations submitted 13 business days or less before the start date of the program will receive a program credit for the full amount, minus any nonrefundable deposits or registration fees. If a credit is due, the credit will first be applied to any past due balances (program fees, membership dues, etc.).

Once a program has started, no program refunds or credits will be offered.

Not attending a program does not entitle you to a refund. When you enroll in a program, you are reserving space, time, and staffing whether or not your child attends the program.

YMCA Camp Cherokee

A $100 deposit is required to hold your camper’s spot and is non-refundable. Deposits are non-transferable from camper to camper or toward an outstanding balance. Any cancellations received prior to April 15^th of each calendar year will be refunded, minus the $100 deposit. After April 15^thof each calendar year, no payments will be refunded. Prior to the start of the camp session, cancellations due to illness or accident will be refunded in full, minus the $100 deposit, accompanied by a written statement from the child’s physician. No refunds will be granted for children who are sent home during their session for misbehavior, homesickness, or other reasons beyond the Camp’s control. Since camp sessions cannot be filled mid-week, no prorated fee is available for late arrival or early departure. Cancellations made by Camp Cherokee due to outside circumstances will result in a full refund of all payments. Families can choose to donate their paid tuition to Camp’s Annual Campaign or receive a refund.

Rays Swim Team

In order to avoid being charged the next month’s training fees (1st of each month), all requests for cancellation must be submitted at least 15 days before the end of the month.

Please be aware that stopping/cancelling your membership with the Rays prior to the end of the season (July) means you are not eligible to register your athlete as a returning swimmer when registration for the new season opens.

With leaving the team early, there may or may not be unearned volunteer points that carry with them a fine. The volunteer points requirements and fines were listed in the volunteer contract signed at the time of athlete registration. You will be emailed with the allotted amount of volunteer points that have not been earned during your time with the team. All current balances owed must be paid prior to cancellation of your membership with the Rays Swim Team.

PLEASE NOTE: Cancellation of Rays Swim Team membership does NOT cancel your YMCA membership. If you need to cancel your YMCA membership please visit one of our branches and complete a cancellation form.

Refunds

Membership Refunds

If you were incorrectly charged due to the YMCA’s failure to cancel or put the membership on hold, a full refund/credit will be given as long as the refund/credit is accompanied by proper documentation (i.e. change form, cancellation form). All refunds are issued to the original form of payment.

For cancellations initiated by the YMCA due to code of conduct violations, a prorated amount for the unused/remaining month(s) will be refunded.

In the case that you receive a scholarship through our Financial Assistance program, failure to update your financial aid information before your scholarship expires will result in your membership rate defaulting to the full-regular rate.

Annual/pre-paid membership fees are non-refundable.

Program Credits/Refunds

The YMCA will not provide refunds for inclement weather.

If the school/school system changes the calendar, the YMCA will process appropriate refunds by-the-week or by-the-day affected by the change.

To withdraw your child from a week of day camp with no payment penalty, a two week written or electronic notification is required in order to not be charged.

If cancelling before a program has started,

Cancellations submitted 14 business days or more before the start date of a program will receive a full refund to the original payment method, minus any nonrefundable deposits or registration fees.
Cancellations submitted 13 business days or less before the start date of the program will receive a program credit for the full amount, minus any nonrefundable deposits or registration fees. If a credit is due, the credit will first be applied to any past due balances (program fees, membership dues, etc.).

Once a program has started, no program refunds or credits will be offered.

Not attending a program does not entitle you to a refund. When you enroll in a program, you are reserving space, time, and staffing whether or not your child attends the program.

Temporary Facility Closures

No credits/refunds will be offered for temporary facility closings due to inclement weather, snow/ice, tropical storm, loss of power, etc.

For extended closures (more than two weeks), members have the right to request a prorated refund for the specific time period. This only applies to extended periods when the full facility is closed.

Guest Policy

Facility Guest Visits

Two (2) Visits per Calendar Year

Your first visit is complimentary (no fee). Your second visit will be $15 for an individual day pass or $25 for a household day pass (includes persons living in the same household).

Waivers

Download and fill out the guest form before arriving. Sign the general waiver. If you are under 18, your parent/legal guardian must sign the waiver. All guests must adhere to the code of conduct set forth by the YMCA of Upper Palmetto.

Photo ID

All guests/non-members ages 16 and older must present a state or government-issued Photo ID with current address. Without a valid ID, guests/non-members will not be allowed into the facility.

Youth Guideline

Ages 11 and younger must be accompanied by a YMCA of Upper Palmetto member over the age of 21. Must have their parent or legal guardian sign the guest waiver.
Ages 12-17 must have their parent or legal guardian over the age of 18 sign a guest waiver.

YMCA Nationwide Memberships

YMCA of Upper Palmetto participates in Nationwide Membership reciprocity. If you are a Greater Charlotte or Gaston County Family YMCA member, please reference our Regional Usage Agreement.

Week Visitor Passes

Weekly visitor passes may be purchased by a member or with a member for $30 per individual or $50 household. Visitor passes are limited to two (2) one-week passes per visiting individual. Facility access, including water parks, is granted with a YMCA of Upper Palmetto member.

Outdoor Water Parks

Guests are allowed to buy daily Waterpark Passes at the front desk inside the main facility for outdoor waterpark access.

Individual Waterpark Pass – $15
Household Waterpark Pass – $30

Guests will be required to complete a Guest Waiver and provide photo ID. All guests under 18 must have an adult (18+) with them at all times.

Waterpark Passes do not include facility access. These are sold separately to the two yearly facility visits.

Waterpark passes will not be sold on Memorial Day or Independence Day.