HAMILTON AREA YMCA MEMBER HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 WELCOME HOME HAMILTON AREA YMCA MEMBER HANDBOOK Hamilton Area YMCA JKR Branch 1315 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton, NJ Sawmill Branch 185 Sawmill Road Hamilton, NJ hamiltonymca.org

2 Dear YMCA Member: Congratulations! You have made an investment in your health and well-being that will provide priceless results. Your Hamilton Area YMCA membership can help you achieve your health, fitness, recreational, social, family and community goals. More than just a weight room or swimming pool, the YMCA is home to individuals and families with common interests and objectives. Like you, they seek a place to challenge themselves in spirit, mind and body, a place to feel comfortable, welcome, and most important, a place to belong. For more than 150 years, the YMCA has changed and evolved to meet the needs of our community and members like you. Character development is an integral part of the YMCA. We are guided by four core values in all we do: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. In the gym, at camp, at the member service desk, and in everything we do, we strive to develop these values in our members and ourselves. Our goal is to offer the best service and the most value for your membership, and we welcome your feedback and questions. Many think of the Y as a place, but it s actually a movement! And like any community organization, there are many ways that you can get involved. We rely on member volunteers throughout the year to do community outreach, to support community events and to participate in our annual fundraising campaign. We hope you will make the most of your membership the more you put into the Y, the more you will get out! The YMCA staff looks forward to your enjoyment and participation for many years to come. Wishing you a healthy mind, spirit, and body.

3 John K. Rafferty Branch Address: 1315 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton, NJ Phone: Fax: Web: hamiltonymca.org JKR Branch Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 5:30 a.m. 10:00 p.m. Saturday 7:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Sunday 7:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Please note: All business transactions must be completed one hour prior to facility closing. Program areas close 15 minutes prior to the closing of the building. Sawmill Branch Information Address: 185 Sawmill Road Hamilton, NJ Phone: ext or dial 3 Fax: info@hamiltonymca.org Web: hamiltonymca.org Sawmill Branch Hours of Operation Hours vary seasonally. Please check the current program and membership guide for hours of operation. Facility and Facility Plus members have access to all areas of Sawmill except the outdoor Pool. Sawmill Family Pool memberships can be purchased at an additional cost. Administrative Offices The Administrative Office is located at 1301 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, in the rear of the Cranbrook building, adjacent to the YMCA JKR Branch. Office hours are Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Summer hours are Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 4

4 About the Y The Y is a diverse organization of men, women and children joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility. Our membership is 21 million strong and spread across more than 2,600 Y associations nationwide. Since no two communities are exactly alike, no two Y s are exactly alike. We bring men, women and children, just like you, together and our shared commitment to our communities ensures that opportunities to learn, grow and thrive endure. While our programs and facilities are always based on the unique needs and interests of our communities, every Y has one thing in common: a deep commitment to strengthen our communities. YMCA Mission We are a charitable association dedicated to building a healthy spirit, mind, and body. Part of a world-wide movement, we put Christian principles into practice through programs that promote good health, strong families, youth leadership, community development, and international understanding. YMCAs are open to men, women, and children of all ages, incomes, abilities, races, and religions. Core Values We want every member to strive to develop, accept, strengthen and demonstrate our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. 5

5 Membership Goals Provide a welcoming atmosphere with friendly, caring staff. Greet each and every person who walks through our doors with a smile. Provide well-trained and caring staff who are available to make your YMCA experience fun and enjoyable. Keep well-maintained, clean and safe facilities and equipment. We will repair, replace, or post the anticipated repair date within 24 hours. Provide opportunities to evaluate your YMCA on a regular basis. Provide opportunities to expand your involvement at the YMCA through special events and volunteer programs. Program Goals As a mission-driven organization, the Hamilton Area YMCA is committed to several program objectives. Our YMCA programs help individuals grow spiritually, mentally and physically. To accomplish this goal, YMCA programs and activities strive to help children, teens, adults, seniors and families do the following: Lead healthy lives by promoting physical, mental and spiritual well-being for all. Grow personally by helping individuals build self-esteem and self-reliance. Strengthen positive values by demonstrating our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Appreciate diversity by respecting people of different ages, abilities, incomes, races, religions, cultures and beliefs. Become better leaders and supporters by giving individuals an opportunity to work toward the common good and promoting leadership development through volunteer engagement. Have fun by making sure that what we do with individuals in the Y is helping our members enjoy life and each other. 6

6 Member Communication & News There are many ways that you can keep up to date with what s going on at your Y! hamiltonymca.org - Find everything you need to know about your Y! Staff listing, opportunities for employment, program information, forms, even make payments! E-Newsletter - We send a bi-monthly e-newsletter right to your inbox. Facebook - The Hamilton Area YMCA Facebook page has photos of our exciting events, upcoming happenings, and links to helpful information. Follow us on Follow us on Follow us on Follow us on Look for our promotional ads in local newspapers. Hamilton Area YMCA Website Hamilton Area YMCA Facebook Hamilton Area YMCA Twitter Hamilton Area YMCA Instagram Hamilton Area YMCA YouTube Hamilton Area YMCA Pinterest 7

7 Member Benefits Facility Member Benefits Facility Members enjoy access to the following: Wellness Center with state-of-the-art fitness and strength equipment Spirit, Mind and Body Center for stretching and meditation 6-lane, 25-yard Indoor Pool 2-lane Indoor Track for walking or running Basketball Gymnasium Kids Gymnasium Sawmill Recreation Center (not including pool) Outdoor playground Facility locker rooms with daily lockers, showers and direct access to the indoor pool Over 100 Land and Water Group Exercise Classes. Please refer to current group exercise schedule for all-inclusive offerings including ZUMBA, Pilates, Yoga, Step, Muscle Conditioning, Cycle and more! Free Babysitting for children 8 and under (max. 2 hours while in the facility) Free Kid Convoy from Babysitting. Staff will escort your child to class while you workout.** Free one-time fitness orientation with a Certified Wellness Coach. Priority Registration for instructional and specialty programs. Reduced fee on most instructional and specialty classes including dance, swim lessons, instructional sports and fitness, enrichment, arts & humanities, weight management, and medically based programs. Reduced fee for Birthday Parties. Reduced fee for Sawmill Pool. Facility Plus Member Benefits: All of the above listed benefits PLUS Private Locker room with permanent locker and private exercise area Access to Steam Room Access to Sauna FREE towel service 3 FREE instructional or specialty classes per session per adult 2 FREE instructional or specialty classes per session per child $10 per class per session after the free classes Some instructional or specialty classes have additional program fees. Program Member Benefits: Program members can register for unlimited programs throughout the year, and they are welcome to use the member lounge. *Schedule permitting. Members must follow all age restrictions, guidelines, and rules for all areas of the facility. YMCA reserves the right to revoke memberships. **Please contact Babysitting for specific policies regarding their services, ext

8 Program Areas The YMCA offers a wide variety of programs for children and adults. Programs begin for children as young as 6 months. We are dedicated to supporting strong, healthy children and adults. Look to our program and membership guides or our website to find a complete list of classes. Aquatics Active Older Adults Arts and Humanities Before and After School Programs Child Care Dance Enrichment Family Gymnastics Health and Well Being Healthy Living Programs Instructional Sports Leagues Programs for Individuals with Disabilities (SKOR/SOAR) Pre-teen and Teen Programs Trainings and Certification Classes 9

9 YMCA Babysitting - Kids Corner Let our YMCA staff care for your child while you care for yourself! Our babysitting service is complimentary for facility members while participating in on-site activities. The maximum time a child may be in the babysitting room is 2 hours. Our care givers will provide a safe and nurturing environment for your child. Use of the babysitting service is subject to space availability. We have the following programs available: Tot Time - Infants and toddlers will be cared for by caring and experienced staff. Toys are available for your child to enjoy. Play Station - We provide supervised care and planned activities for children ages 3-5. Children may choose from free play, participate in arts & crafts or play age appropriate games. 6-8 Club - Staff will provide age appropriate activities including supervised gym time and outdoor play for children ages 6-8. Kid Convoy - While you work out, let our staff escort your child safely to their class. YMCA caregivers will bring your child to and from any gym class, but will only be able to escort them to swim classes. Our staff will not be able to change your child, so please have your child dressed and ready for class. Inquire at the member Service desk about care for your 9-12 year olds when school is not in session. Babysitting Hours: Monday Friday Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. & 4:00-8:45 p.m. 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Not a Facility Member? Program members can utilize Babysitting services while participating in on-site programs for a fee of $4 per hour. (Babysitting cards are sold at the Member Service Desk in $20.00 blocks and will be sold under the adult membership category.) Playground JKR Branch Our playground is available to our facility and facility plus members age For the safety and security of all, adult supervision is required at all times. The playground is open Sunday Saturday* from 9:00 a.m. dusk. *The playground will not be available Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. as Y s Owls Preschool will be utilizing the playground during those times. 10

10 Member s Code of Conduct Membership cards must be presented to the staff at the Welcome Center upon entering the facility. Because of our emphasis on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, smoking is not permitted on YMCA grounds, including the parking lots. Cell phone use is NOT permitted in the locker rooms, restrooms, or wellness center. The YMCA does not assume responsibility for personal property that is lost, stolen or damaged. All attire, including swimming attire, must be appropriate for a family environment. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times, unless specific direction is required by a program. Loitering/solicitation within or on the grounds of the YMCA is prohibited. All facility policies and guidelines are to be followed at all times. The Hamilton Area YMCA reserves the right to revoke membership. Child/Youth Policy (Children under the age of 12) The YMCA is dedicated to promoting youth development. The following youth guidelines are in place so that your children will be cared for and properly supervised. Thank you for your cooperation. Children under the age of 12 may NOT be in the facility without a parent/guardian on the premises. The YMCA reserves the right to confirm a child s age. Children age 12 and under without a parent/guardian on the premises will not be able to participate in unsupervised activities. Parents will be called to pick up their child. Youth Facility/Facility Plus members ages 9-11 can utilize the Gymnasium, Swimming Pool, and Indoor Track. A parent/guardian MUST be on the premises of the YMCA. Child Facility/Facility Plus members ages 0-8 must be under DIRECT parental or guardian supervision whenever they are at the YMCA, unless they are enrolled in a YMCA Program or in YMCA Babysitting. Direct supervision means that the parent/guardian is in the facility area with the child (i.e. in the swimming pool, in the gymnasium). Children ages 0-11 are not allowed in the Wellness Center. Children over the age of 5 are not permitted in any locker room of the opposite sex. Children under 18 are only permitted in the Facility Plus Locker room on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. and Sunday all day. Children must be accompanied by a parent. NOTE: Guardians must be age 18 or older. Non-Facility Members: Child/Youth Program members are only permitted in the facility to attend the YMCA program they have registered for. Program cards must be presented upon entering the facility. Parent/guardian must enter the building with the child and remain on the YMCA premises for the duration of the program. 11

11 Wellness Center Guidelines Please wipe off equipment after use. Bring a towel for personal use or use the antibacterial wipes available in the areas. During busy times, use the posted sign up board or sheets to reserve your turn on the equipment. Please observe any posted time limits. Please respect equipment. Do not drop, bang or abuse the equipment, and please remember to put everything back after use (i.e. free weights, body balls, jump ropes, etc.) If you notice any equipment that is not working properly, please notify a Wellness Staff Team member as soon as possible. Proper exercise attire such as warm-ups, T-shirts, shorts, leotards and sneakers is required. Cell phones are not permitted in the Wellness Center. Track Guidelines Our indoor two lane track is used for both walking and running. 18 laps equal a mile. Facility Members 8 years and younger may use track in the company of at least one Facility Member. Corner areas of the track are for warm up and cool down exercises. Walk/run in single file. Slower participants stay to the inside. Pass on the outside. Gymnasium Guidelines If others are waiting to play during Open Gym, there are no full court games. Dunking is not allowed. Hard or black soled shoes are prohibited. Gum, food or beverages are not allowed in the gym. Ping Pong is available. Please see Member Services for a schedule. 12

12 Pool Guidelines Our pool is 25 yards in length and 6 lanes wide. The depth ranges from 4 to 6 feet. Stairs and a chair lift are available for those who require assistance getting in or out of the pool. The pool schedules will change each program session, so please check for updated schedules on our website or at our Member Service Desk. There are also pool diagrams on the bulletin board in the pool area. All swimmers must shower before entering the water (NJ State Law 8:26 5.4)1). Child Facility Members age 8 and under must be accompanied in the pool by an Adult Facility Member age 18 or over. All non-swimmers must have a parent in the pool, and parents must be within arm distance of the child at all times. Children requiring a floatation device are not allowed in deep end of pool. Diving, flips and back dives are not allowed. A bathing suit must be worn no cutoffs, cotton T-shirts, shorts or belts. All children in diapers must use a swim diaper or plastic pants with snug fitting elastic waist and leg bands. Shoulder length hair and longer must be tied back or under a bathing cap. Any person showing evidence of skin disease, sore or inflamed eyes, cold, nasal or ear discharge or any communicable disease shall be DENIED admission. Any person with excessive sunburn, open blisters, cuts or bandages shall be DENIED admission in the pool. Do not enter the water if you are experiencing or recovering from diarrhea or have had any signs or symptoms of a gastrointestinal (stomach) disease in the past seven days. Food, gum or drinks are not permitted in the pool area or locker rooms. Water is permitted. Running is not permitted on the pool deck or in the locker rooms. Street shoes are not to be worn on the pool deck. Glass containers are prohibited in the pool area or locker rooms. Persons suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol are prohibited from entering the water. Pool and pool area will be closed during thunder and lightning storms. Inflatables of any kind are only allowed in the pool during special events. Lap lanes are for individuals over the age of 13 who are going to swim laps. The 3 lap lanes will be divided into walk/leisure, medium and fast. Please check the pool schedule for lap lane availability. Lap swimmers may not deny entry to another swimmer. Lap swimmers should split the lane if sharing with another individual and circle swim if there are 3 or more people in a lane. WATER EMERGENCY 1 Long whistle blast signals an emergency. Leave pool immediately. 2 Short whistle blast signals lifeguard needs attention of a particular swimmer. 1 Medium whistle blast, used during camp, allows campers back into the pool after a buddy check. 3 Short blast signals that a lifeguard needs the attention of another guard or supervisor. 13

13 Membership & Program Information Membership Cards All facility members will receive a Hamilton Area YMCA identification card upon joining. This card will remain valid as long as you maintain your membership. Please remember to bring in your I.D. with you each time you visit us. You can be denied access or your workout can be delayed without your card. A $2.00 replacement fee will be charged for lost or damaged membership cards. New cards are not issued annually. The Hamilton Area YMCA reserves the right to suspend or revoke membership privileges as necessary. Membership Changes/Transfers If you should change your home or business address, , phone number, dependent or marital status, please advise our Member Service staff. If you are adding to your membership (family or husband/wife) proof of address is required if last name differs. If you wish to transfer to another YMCA, please let us know. If you need verification, we will gladly write a letter indicating your current membership status. Membership Freeze Memberships may be frozen for medical reasons that prevent you from participating at the YMCA. A physician s letter is required for all medical freezes. The medical letter/excuse must list the start and end date of the freeze. Please notify member services prior to the start date of all medical freezes. Insurance Reimbursement Some insurance companies and HMOs will reimburse participants for partial or all membership fees. We will be happy to verify your membership, but we will not bill the insurance company for fees due. If you need verification, we will gladly write a letter indicating your current membership status. Check with your insurance carrier for details. Emergency Closings The decision to open the YMCA will be made ½ hour prior to opening. At that time the voic system, website and Facebook page will indicate opening times if applicable. Once we have opened, any decisions to close early or cancel classes will be made as necessary. Program Registration Facility Members receive priority registration and can start registering for classes 2 weeks prior the start of the next session. Program Members can start registering 1 week prior to the start of the next session. To enroll in a program, your membership must remain current throughout the program session. If your membership expires during the program session, you must renew at the time of registration. 14

14 How to Log-In to Online Registration Your login is last name, first name (i.e. Smith, John - as listed in our system). Your Password is initials and birth date (i.e. JS070772). Each member will have their own login and password. We encourage you to change your login and password once you have signed in. You can also dial ext. 201 for step by step instructions on how to register online. Program Cancellations The Hamilton Area YMCA may cancel or combine a class due to lack of enrollment. We will try to notify you within 24 hours of your class time of any changes. You will also receive a credit for the amount of the class that is cancelled. Classes cancelled due to inclement weather will not be made up and no credit will be given. The summer session is 10 weeks, and 8 out of 10 classes are guaranteed due to the increased occurrence of summer thunderstorms. Tax ID Number Our tax ID number is: Credits & Refunds Request for credits and refunds must be processed at the Member Service Desk by the end of the session in order for credit to be given. Membership and Joiner s fees/dues are non-refundable and non-transferable. Membership refund requests accompanied by a physician note will be considered by the Associate Branch Director. All program requests are processed at the discretion of the program directors. Every effort will be made to allow makeup classes due to emergency situations. We can refund/credit as follows: Refunds will be given for classes cancelled due to insufficient enrollment only. Refunds will be given for program memberships if classes are cancelled for insufficient enrollment. Please note: If you upgrade your membership during a session, the difference in program fees is non-refundable. Credit will be issued only when the YMCA is unable to provide a makeup class due to repairs or when an instructor is absent. Credit will be issued for illness when it results in the loss of four or more consecutive class days and must be supported by a doctor s note. Credits issued must be used within six months of issue date. Credit will not be issued for missed classes. As a Hamilton YMCA Facility Member Can I Use Other New Jersey YMCAs? The state of NJ has a reciprocal membership agreement whereby you can utilize participating YMCAs in NJ at no cost following their policies. You must use your Home YMCA (the YMCA you are paying dues to) the most. 15

15 National YMCA AWAY Program A.W.A.Y. means Always Welcome at YMCAs. The A.W.A.Y. program is based on the philosophy that when a person enrolls in a YMCA, he or she becomes a member of a nationwide association of people that helps build strong kids, strong families and strong communities, and, therefore, when away from home, on business or vacation, will be warmly welcomed by all other participating YMCAs in the United States. A YMCA s participation in this program is voluntary. Some restrictions apply. Because each local YMCA sets its own policies, each participating YMCA in the A.W.A.Y. program develops its own local restrictions. If you are planning to visit another YMCA, please call that YMCA for its visitor policies before you go. To find information on any YMCA in the United States, go to and conduct a Find Your YMCA search. YMCAs participating in the A.W.A.Y. program are noted. Guest Policy Two electronic complimentary guest passes per membership will be given upon joining the YMCA. These passes will be under the billing member on the membership, however, any active member on the membership may use them following all policies listed below. A member may also bring a guest by purchasing a day pass. Members are responsible for their guest while they are in the facility. All guests 14 years and older must present a valid ID to enter the building. Guests must be accompanied by a member at all times while utilizing the facility and comply with all member rules and regulations. Guests will be required to sign a Code of Conduct before using the facility. A maximum of two guests per member is permitted at one time. Each guest is allowed to visit the facility a maximum of five times per calendar year without purchasing a membership. Guest fees may be applied to the cost of membership if used within a 6 month period. * Between November 1 and February 28, NO guests will be permitted after 4:00 p.m. * Monday - Friday. Day Pass Fees: Facility Guests Facility Plus Guests (must be accompanied by a facility plus member) Ages 17 and under $8.00 No Access Young Adult (18-24) $10.00 $15.00 Adults (25-61) $15.00 $20.00 Family $20.00 No Access Seniors (62+) $10.00 $

16 Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers are the heart of the Hamilton Area YMCA. Opportunities for involvement with the Hamilton Area YMCA including volunteering for programs (coaching and special events) or serving on elected committees (Board of Directors, Advisory Council, Program Committees). Volunteers are individuals who help us to create programs, run programs and offer suggestions on how to make the Hamilton Area YMCA a better place. For additional information on how you can get involved, contact Kailin Rockhill at ext Financial Assistance It is the policy of the Hamilton Area YMCA to provide services for any person who desires to participate and understands the benefits of the YMCA, regardless of their ability to pay the standard membership or program fees. Those not able to pay the full fee may be awarded partial assistance based on their demonstrated need. Assistance will be granted on the basis of financial need, when funds are available. The household income guidelines used by the Hamilton Area YMCA will be used as the initial eligibility criteria. The YMCA believes a strong sense of ownership and pride is developed if the financial assistance recipient contributes to the cost of their YMCA involvement; therefore, applicants may be asked to pay a portion of the membership or program fees. Applications are available at the Welcome Center. All complete financial assistance applications are kept confidential and are reviewed for eligibility. Written notification will be given. Please allow a minimum of 21 days for processing and a response. Annual Campaign for the YMCA The Hamilton Area YMCA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is sustained through the generous support of those who live, work and do business in our community. Charitable giving to the Y allows us to provide valuable programs and services that meet critical needs in our community. As a member of the Y, you are encouraged to participate in our Annual Campaign, usually held in February and March of each year. Your tax-deductible gift will ensure children grow and thrive, adults lead healthier lives, and we are able to extend a helping hand to our neighbors in their time of need. For more information about how you can help ensure a bright future for our community, contact our Development Department at ext

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