Member Guide – YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit

We’re glad to have you!

At the Y, we know that positive change comes about when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. In the Detroit Metropolitan area, we have 7 facilities, 2 overnight camps and hundreds of program sites that nurture the potential of children and teens, help people at all ages and stages of life improve their health and well-being, and provide opportunities for individuals to give back and support neighbors.

Membership Quick Facts

Members must present their membership card/key fob in order to be admitted to the Y.
Membership-level adjustments (i.e. youth to teen, young adult to adult) are automatically made with a 10-day written notice to the member.
Regarding membership rate changes, the YMCA will always provide members a written notice 30 days in advance of any rate increases.
Memberships are non-transferable.
Members involved in a fight, who use profanity, or who engage in other inappropriate behavior as determined by the Y while using YMCA facilities or participating in YMCA programs will forfeit their membership privileges at the discretion of the YMCA. Depending on the circumstances, the termination of the membership may be without a refund.
Members and guests are not allowed on YMCA premises with firearms, weapons or illegal substances. Membership may be terminated if this policy is violated.
The YMCA will not tolerate any form of discrimination from members, employees, volunteers, etc., based on race, gender, sex, age, religion, ethnic background, disability, etc.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit reserves the right to adjust or alter policies when necessary. This may include suspension and/or termination of one’s membership.

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. All records are kept confidential.

Hours, Cancellations & Closings

Facility & Holiday Hours

It is important to us that our staff team have the opportunity to spend time with their family and friends during the holidays. With that in mind, all YMCA locations are closed on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Please contact your branch for specific hours for other holidays and/or seasonal hours.

Class & Program Cancellation Policy

Operation of all classes and scheduled activities depend on minimum enrollments and are subject to change at any time.

Weather Closings

The YMCA may cancel morning classes and leagues whenever the branch public schools close due to weather. Evening classes may vary based on driving and road conditions. Please call your local branch or check your app for updated information.

Improvement Closings

In order to keep facilities in the best possible condition, the YMCA or portions of the YMCA may close temporarily for repairs and renovations. There will be no adjustments or refunds of dues for these periods of closure.

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.

Sex Offender Policy

To aid the effort in our ability to provide a safe and threat-free environment, the YMCA monitors sexual offender registries. Persons on the list will not be eligible for a Y membership, program participation, volunteer or employment opportunities at the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit.

Payments & Refunds

Payment Options

A bank or credit card draft electronically deducts monthly dues from a member’s checking or credit card account. The draft will cover the subsequent month. The YMCA accepts MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express. Any check or bank account draft returned for insufficient funds will be assessed a fee at the time of the return. A member will be automatically terminated after two unsuccessful draft attempts; however, the member is still responsible for payment of any unpaid dues.

It is the responsibility of the member to monitor their account activity and contact the branch business office immediately with questions concerning their account.

Refund Policy

Participants will have program fees fully refunded when classes or programs are canceled by the YMCA. Refunds are processed within one month of cancellation. A credit toward another YMCA program is given when a participant drops a class for a medical reason. A doctor’s note is required to receive the credit and the amount will be prorated. The YMCA will not issue credits based on a participant’s inability to attend a program or class. Neither refunds nor credits will be issued when classes are canceled due to severe weather or other conditions. Refunds are not issued for discrepancies of more than 90 days. Please check your statements regularly.

Membership Suspension

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.

Programs Guidelines

Member Benefit Programs

We’re passionate about helping everyone pursue a healthy lifestyle in spirit, mind and body. YMCA Facility Members get to take advantage of free and reduced rates on programs and services to help them do just that. Check out all the benefits of membership on the membership page.

Contact your local YMCA to learn more about program offerings and session details.

How to Register for Programs

Reservations

Contact your local branch to learn more about reservation protocol for amenities such as (and not limited to) pool, basketball court, racquet sports, and child watch.

Online Registration

We’ve partnered with ACTIVE^® Network to allow members to quickly and easily sign up for activities, make payments and save on special offers. Wherever you go, you can enjoy the Y with ACTIVE^®. Get started here.

Phone and In Person Registration

You can always register for programs over the phone or by stopping into the Y.

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.

Child Watch COVID-19 Safety

To ensure that our program community stays as healthy as possible, every participant and staff will have their temperature taken daily.
Temperatures of all Child Watch participants will be taken with a no-touch thermometer upon arrival to the Child Watch space. Any participant screened with a temperature of 100.4 or above will not be permitted to participate that day.
In addition, the following questions will be asked upon sign-in:
- Have you or your child been in contact with a person who has COVID-19?
- Has your child felt unwell in the last 3 days? (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea)
- We will visually check participants for signs of illness, including flushed cheeks, rapid or difficulty breathing (without recent physical activity), fatigue, or confused mental state. Anyone who exhibits COVID-type symptoms or answers any question positively will not be permitted to stay on site.
Due to the limited capacity, a reservation system may be used at your branch to secure your child’s spot in Child Watch. Please check with your branch to see how you should reserve your spot.

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.

Wellness Center Guidelines

The YMCA’s approach to exercise is to focus on the whole person: spirit, mind, and body. We offer health enhancement classes that improve flexibility, decrease stress, improve cardiovascular fitness, and much more. Our professional staff is trained to work with members of all fitness levels.
Before visiting the Y, conduct a self-health check. If you don’t feel well, please do not visit the Y until you are symptom-free and healthy.
Please follow CDC’s current social distancing guidelines, maintaining a distance of 6 feet from others whenever possible.
Sanitize hands when entering and exiting the facility
Use alternating equipment when using cardio machines such as treadmills, ellipticals, rows etc.
Children ages 10+ are welcome to utilize the cardiovascular equipment when accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Members aged 13 to 17 years are permitted to use the Wellness Center but should complete a Teen Assessment prior to use without a parent.
Members must be 13 years of age to participate in Group Exercise classes.
Appropriate clothing and athletic footwear must be worn at all times. No bare midriffs.
Please wipe off the equipment after each use.
Please put back all accessories after each use.
Please refrain from dropping the weights.
Please use a spotter when performing heavy lifts.
Thank you for leaving cell phone conversations outside of the Wellness Center.
Liquid in spill-proof non-breakable containers is permitted.
Instruction or training by anyone other than YMCA staff is strictly prohibited.

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

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.
One whistle blast from the lifeguard, all patrons must STOP, LOOK and LISTEN to the guard.
Two whistle blasts from the lifeguard, all patrons must EXIT the pool IMMEDIATELY.
Every swimmer must take a soap shower before entering the pool.
Every swimmer must wear a swimsuit that has a lining. Undergarments, cutoffs and/ or gym shorts are not allowed in place of swimwear.
No street shoes or strollers are allowed on the pool deck.
Food or drink is not allowed on deck – except water in plastic containers and in designated areas.
Breath-holding activities and/or prolonged underwater swimming is not permitted.
Running and horseplay are prohibited on deck and in the pool.
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.

Deep End Test

Swim one length of the pool or equivalent.
Tread water without touching the pool sides & bottom for 1 minute.
Deep Water Plunge: Swimmer must jump into the deep end and recover to the surface.

Shallow Water Test

Float on back and roll to front.
Recover from floating position to standing position.

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

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.
Swimmers should select a lane, designated by the YMCA, suitable to their swimming speed.
When only two or fewer lanes are open, please adjust your speed accordingly.
Inform other swimmers in a lane before entering that lane.
When two or more swimmers are in a lane, please keep to the right side of the lane and circle swim.
When there are only two swimmers in a lane they may agree to swim side by side.
Slower swimmers must yield to faster swimmers at turns.
The lifeguard may ask a swimmer to move to another lane if they have not selected a lane appropriate for their speed.

Open Swim

See the swim testing policy above.
Only Coast Guard Approved PFDs are permitted during recreational swims. The use of these items is restricted to the shallow end of the pool.
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.
Children who are not FULLY toilet trained MUST wear a swim diaper.
Inflatable flotation devices are not permitted.
The lifeguard may restrict the use of pool toys, instructional equipment and other recreational equipment at any time.
Running, fighting, dunking, flips, sitting on shoulders and horseplay are not permitted.
If diving is allowed at the facility, diving is allowed only in designated areas.
Back dives and handstands from the side are not permitted.
Starting blocks are for the swim team and swim lesson use only.
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

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

Water Slides and Zero Depth Entry

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

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