Policies & Guidelines

Youth Policy

The YMCA is a great place for kids! We welcome all youth to the Y and we are proud to fulfill our pledge that no youth is ever denied the opportunity to participate due to an inability to pay. Drop-in participation at the Y is not intended to substitute for full time childcare. Please use the following guidelines when planning your child’s participation at the Y:

• Youth ages 7 and under must have DIRECT supervision by an adult at all times.
• Youth ages 8-10 must be accompanied by a supervising individual (age 14+) who remains in the building. The supervising individual does not have to be in the same area as the youth. The youth may sign themselves in and out of the program areas if required and must follow the age restrictions posted for specific areas.
• Youth ages 11 and over are not required to be accompanied by a supervising individual, but are subject to the age restrictions posted for specific areas.
• All youth ages 10 and under will be required to be in a program if unaccompanied to the Y. The Action Zone will be considered a program area with a maximum stay of 2 hours for unaccompanied youth. The recommendation is that drop in visits for unaccompanied youth at the Y are limited to 3 hours maximum. This policy is in place for the child’s safety and overall well-being.

General Building Policies

Admittance Policy: Members may be denied access to the YMCA if account is not current. To enter the YMCA on each visit, members must provide issued membership card or photo ID.

Attire: Please wear appropriate clothing. Inappropriate or revealing clothing is not allowed (i.e. mid-drifts, short shorts, etc.)
• Gymnasium/Racquetball/Handball Courts: Non-marking gym shoes only.
• Fitness Center: Full length shirts and athletic shoes are required. No jeans or pants with rivets or buckles. No sandals.
• Swimming Pool: Swim suits only. No cut-offs or T-shirts. No street shoes on deck.

Cell Phone/Video Taping: For the safety and security of our members and guests, any and all video/photo equipment may not be used in locker rooms, dressing areas, shower areas, restrooms, or other areas generally deemed to be “private” within the YMCA facilities. No photograph or video is allow on YMCA property or in YMCA programs without permission from the YMCA. Voyeurism is a Class C felony in the State of Washington under RCW 9A.44.115.

Criminal History: It is the policy of the Walla Walla YMCA to deny membership to any individual convicted of a sexual offense or who is a registered sex offender and that the Walla Walla YMCA will periodically check it’s membership records for criminal history. The YMCA reserves the right to terminate membership if the YMCA becomes aware that a member has been convicted of a sex crime.

Insurance: The Walla Walla YMCA does not provide any accident or health insurance for it’s members or participants, it is the member’s responsibility to provide such coverage.

Member Conduct and Right to Use the Facility: Members/guests must abide by all policies and procedures of the Walla Walla YMCA and failure to act in accordance with these rules may result in expulsion from the YMCA and revocation of membership.

Code of Conduct: Using the principles of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility as a guide, the Walla Walla YMCA has implemented the following Code of Conduct to ensure that all who participate in the YMCA enjoy a safe, welcoming and comfortable environment. We ask all members to behave in a manner that upholds these principles at all times when they are in our facility or participating in our programs. Specifically, actions that do not adhere to these guidelines and are not permitted include:
• Using angry or vulgar language, including swearing, name-calling or shouting.
• Making physical contact with a person in an angry or threatening manner.
• Engaging in sexual activity or contact.
• Harassing or intimidating by words, gestures, body language or other menacing behavior.
• Stealing or destruction of property
• Carrying or concealing any weapons, devices or objects which may be used as a weapon.
• Smoking (our YMCA offers a smoke free environment)
• Refusing to adhere to staff requests.
• Using or Possessing illegal drugs or alcohol on YMCA property or while participating in YMCA programs.

Member Health: Members/guests must be in physically sound condition and understand that participation in aerobics and other exercise, weight training, recreational sports, and use of pools, spas, saunas, steam rooms and fitness equipment carry a potential risk of injuries. The Walla Walla YMCA assumes no responsibility for any such injury or illness.

Photograph Permission: Members/guests give permission for the YMCA to use, without limitation or obligation, photographs or other media that may include the member’s image or voice to promote or interpret YMCA programs. The YMCA shall have absolute right to use such pictures, in whole or in part, to publish, copyright and reproduce said pictures.

Property Loss: The Walla Walla YMCA is not responsible for personal property lost, damaged or stolen while using YMCA facilities or participating in YMCA programs.

Additional information:
• Food and drinks are not allowed outside the vending machine area.
• For non-Center members, towels may be rented for 25 cents.
• All valuables should be checked in at the Front Desk or secured with a lock on a locker. If you find a lost item or are looking for one, check at the Front Desk. Lost and found items are held for 30 days and unclaimed items are donated to a local charity regularly.

Fitness Center

Attire:
• Loose fitting exercise clothes, conservative tank tops.
• NO jeans.
• NO sandals.
• NO street shoes.
• NO midriffs.
• NO short shorts.

Nautilus:
• Nautilus is to be used as a circuit. Start on #1 and work around.
• Do only one set of 10-15 then move on.
• If you must skip a machine, please leave one machine between you and the person you cut in front of.
• Sets are allowed during non-peak hours.
• No resting on machines.
• Do not bang the weights. Hammer Strength and Free Weights:
• Re-rack the weights in the correct spots.
• Do not lay the weights on the ground.
• Do not use more than one machine at a time.
• If you are doing multiple sets, let people work in.
• Collars must be used in the free weight area.
• Do not drop weights.

Cardio:
• Cleaning towels are available in the cardio area to wipe sweatoff of the machines and sanitize the equipment.
• Any FM radio can be used to listen to the televisions.

Treadmills:
• #7-10 are reserved in 30 minute segments per day. Reservations must be made at the weight room desk for today’s segments or at the front desk for tomorrows.
• #1-6 are first come first serve with a 30 minute time limit. Cross Trainers, Stairmasters, Bikes & Rowers:
• First come first serve.
• 30 minute time limit during peak hours.

General Guidelines:
• 14 years and older are allowed in the weight room.
• No Cell Phone use in the Fitness Center
• Water only.
• Only YMCA staff is allowed to provide professional instruction in the Fitness Center.

Locker Room Policy

Family (North) Locker Rooms:
The Walla Walla YMCA has locker rooms available for changing, showering, and storing your items while you work out. The Family (North) Locker Rooms are for day use only and you will need to provide your own padlock. Please do not leave your lock on overnight.
• ALL CHILDREN are to use the Family (North) Locker Room regardless of their parents’ membership type.
• CHILDREN AGES 4 AND UNDER may accompany an adult of the opposite gender into locker room
• ALL CHILDREN AGES 5 AND OVER are to use the Family Locker Room appropriate to their gender.
• CHILDREN OF ADULT CENTER MEMBERS may accompany their parent to the Adult Center on WEEKENDS ONLY or when both are enrolled in a Parent/Child swim class.
• SPECIAL NEEDS. For those children ages 5 and over who are accompanied by a parent of the opposite sex and require changing assistance, there is limited space available in the Special Need Changing Rooms located on the Pool Deck (available 15 minutes before and after most swim lesson times.)

Adult Center Locker Rooms:
For an additional fee adult members (limit one person per locker) can upgrade their membership to include the Men’s or Women’s Center. This upgrade includes a personal locker with a combination lock, towel service, steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi access. Only members with lockers have access to the Adult Centers. Please inquire at Member Services for more information and availability. Locker Room General Recommendations The Walla Walla YMCA is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Some tips to keep your belongings secure:
• Lock your locker! Unlocked lockers are easy for anyone to access.
• Instruct your children to use the lockers to store belongings.
• Check your area and locker thoroughly before you leave.
• Keys, wallets and purses can be stored at the Front Desk for your convenience.

Staff work hard to keep the locker rooms clean. You can help by:
• Returning towels to the collection bins.
• Returning seats and benches to their proper locations.
• Drying off in the shower area before returning to the locker area.
• Drying wet counter tops after use.
• Notifying staff if there are cleanliness problems that need attention.

Program Registration Guidelines

Fees must be paid in full at time of registration, as class sizes are limited and must be filled on a first come, first served basis. Class minimums must be met or the class may be cancelled. Activities and programs are subject to change as described in the Program Cancellation/Changes Policy. Program Cancellation/Changes Policy On occasion this Y may have to cancel or reschedule classes.
• If a class is cancelled, registrants will be notified and receive a full refund.
• Individuals wishing to cancel their registration will be provided with a credit voucher less a $5 administrative fee if the request is made before the registration deadline. Cancellation requested after the registration deadline will be considered for medical reasons and the credit will be pro-rated based on the number of classes held less a $5 administrative fee. Once the program has reached one half of its scheduled classes, no credit will be given.
• Class changes can only be made before the registration deadline, NO exceptions.

Account Drafting Dates and Cancellations or Changes

The Walla Walla YMCA drafts all memberships on the 15th of each month (or next business day if the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday). The draft covers the current month in it’s entirety (i.e. the January 15 draft pays for January 1 to January 31). Any changes to drafting information or cancellation must be received in writing by the 1st of the month in order to be effective for that month. 30 days written notice is required to cancel or make any changes to a membership. Forms to change information are available at Member Services. Membership Annual Renewals A renewal notice will be mailed to you midway through the month prior to your expiration date. Membership anniversary dates cannot be extended. If you will be gone for extended periods you will be required to sign up for a monthly membership plan.

Admittance

Members are asked to present their YMCA membership card every time they use the facility. Program participants must check in at the front desk to gain entrance to the facility. This policy helps to assure that only valid YMCA members and paid class participants are admitted and helps to assure safety and security for everyone in the facility. If you don’t have your YMCA membership card, you will be asked to wait until you are typed in for entry. There is a $5 replacement fee for lost cards.

Member Guests

Members are allowed one guest per day. The same guest may visit a total of two times per year. After two visits, that person must purchase a membership or pay the Day Use Fee. The Y may limit guest usage at times of high activity to members only. As a benefit of membership, members may invite out of town family and friends to visit the Y as a guest up to one week.

Medical Holds

If you are unable to use the Y due to injury or illness, you may put your membership on a medical hold. A letter from your physician stating you are unable to perform regular activities at the Y is required at the time the hold is initiated. Medical Holds are only allowed if slated for specific time period (i.e. 6 weeks as opposed to “6-8 weeks”) and require sufficient notice in order to be implemented, must be submitted with doctor’s note by the 1st of the month. Regular membership draft will automatically restart after the hold expires. If you do not know how long you will be unable to use the Y, we recommend cancellation of membership and to restart it when you are able to return. We will gladly waive your joining fee in these circumstances.