Facility Guidelines

At the TWIN RIVERS YMCA, our top priority always is the safety and well-being of our members, program participants and staff. We are committed to providing the safest possible environment for children and adults using Y facilities, programs and services. Our YMCA follow a rigorous ongoing process to protect those using our services. Our approach is four pronged:

1. Screening and Hiring – To do everything possible to ensure the right staff and volunteers are working with participants in our programs, we conduct intensive screening and hiring practices including detailed application forms, a comprehensive interview process, multiple reference checks, and criminal and sexual offender background and record checks. 
2. Education and Training – All staff sign an Employee Code of Conduct, which sets clear rules and expectations for behavior. The Y has Zero Tolerance for staff deviating from the Employee Code of Conduct. Employees working with children go through an extensive child abuse prevention program. Child care staff members are mandated to report any suspected abuse. All staff is trained to identify when a fellow employee or volunteer is stretching or breaking the rules and are trained in how to respond and report these violations.
3. Supervision and Management - Supervisors and managers complete additional training to further promote a child safe environment and conduct regular monitoring of spaces within our facility. All Y staff are mandated reporters. 
4. Practices and Systems – Our Y strives to create an open environment and encourages feedback from; staff, parents, children and members. Protection practices exist to create a safe environment for all. Examples include a posted cell phone ban in all locker rooms and rest rooms, speci c locker rooms separating adults and children, additional bus monitors for trips and camp transportation, prohibiting staff to work one-on- one with youth outside the YMCA (i.e. baby-sitting) and mandatory reporting requiring staff members to report any suspicious activity.

While we put a great deal of thought and effort into implementing a strong Child and Member Protection Plan, perhaps the most important thing we do is to communicate regularly with members. To ensure the safest environment possible, communication and vigilance on all our parts is essential.

Abusers can be parents, care takers, friends, neighbors, or other youth. It takes everyone’s help to create a safe environment. 

Evacuations

All emergency exits are clearly marked. Please familiarize yourself with their locations. Should an evacuation of the facility be required for any reason, follow the directions of YMCA staff to ensure a safe and orderly exit from the building.

Fire Alarm

If the fire alarm sounds please:

• STOP all activity
• Follow evacuation procedures
• Follow direction from Y and Emergency Response Staff

Incident Reports

In the event that first aid or corrective action is provided to you, or for you, the staff responding is required to ensure that proper documentation is provided for our records.

Member Responsibility

Members are expected to assist Y staff in the event of an emergency by following instructions from Y staff in order to resolve the situation as efficiently and safely as possible.

Staff on Duty

Staff on Duty are staff designated to take a lead role in the daily operations of the facility and also in the event of an emergency. Please follow their direction. 

We ask individuals to behave in a manner that upholds the Y’s core values of Caring, Faith, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility, at all times when using the Y facilities or participating in Y programs.  Please keep in mind that there are children in the facility - modesty (covered with clothing or a towel) in the Boys and Girls Locker Rooms is expected from our adult members. Failure to adhere to the Code of Conduct may result in suspension or termination of membership. 

Actions that do not adhere to these guidelines and are not permitted include:

• wearing inappropriate (i.e., containing profanity or illegal product marketing), immodest or revealing attire
• using angry or vulgar language
• making physical contact with a person in an angry or threatening manner
• engaging in sexual activity or contact with another person
• harassment by means of language, gestures, body language, or menacing behavior
• stealing or destruction of property
• carrying or concealing any weapons, devices or objects which may be used as a weapon
• use of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol 
• refusing to adhere to staff requests
• using a cell phone in the locker rooms

Lap Swim

When two swimmers are sharing one lane they may split the lane in half, one swimmer staying to the right and the other to the left.

For three or more, swimmers will need to circle swim, going counter clockwise. Please check with a lifeguard so that they can choose compatible swimmers for you to share with.

Please be courteous and cautious of other swimmers.

Open Swim

All swimmers under the age of 14 must be swim tested before leaving the Zero Entry Area.

Children 12 and up that have passed swim test may swim without an adult, all others must have an adult (18+) on the pool deck at all times.

Parents must stay within arm’s reach of all non-swimmers.

We do not allow water wings or blow up flotation devices. We have swim aids that may be used during open swim, please ask a lifeguard if you need assistance.

Children that wear swim aids do not need to take a swim test but they do need an adult in the pool with them.

Deep Water Swim Test

All children under the age of 14 years are required to pass the following swim test in order to use the slide and the deeper end of the pool.

1. Swimmer must swim one length of either pool without stopping.
2. While taking the test, they are not allowed to stand on the bottom, grab the lane line or the side of the pool to rest and recover.
3. They must swim Front Crawl on their stomach, using an over arm stroke with their face in the water.
4. Breathing should not interrupt their forward progress, breathing straight ahead while dog paddling is acceptable if the swimmer returns to Front Crawl.
5. Parents and/or friends cannot be in the lane with the swimmer.
6. The swimmer must be able to jump in the deep end and tread water for at least 30 seconds immediately after swimming the length of the pool.

The lifeguard has the authority to take away the swim band if he/she feels the swimmer’s skills are questionable.

Swim tests will be given as needed.

Children who cannot pass the test but are taller 64 inches may swim in the four foot deep area divided by the noodle rope. 

1. Aquatic safety is EVERYONE’s responsibility. If you see something, say something.
2. Supervising adults must actively watch children 11 and under when in the water.
3. PFD’s are provided by the YMCA for non-swimmers if needed.  Additionally, Coast Guard approved PFDs may be brought in for use. 
4. The Y supplies all pool toys (No outside toys are allowed).
5. Proper swim attire is required.* This does not include street clothing (i.e: jeans, frayed clothing, shoes, sweatshirts, etc.)
6. Children who are not potty-trained are required to wear a swim diaper or rubber pants.
7. Shower before entering the pool.
8. Walk at all times.
9. Swimming is allowed only when a lifeguard is on duty.
10. Lifeguards are here for everyone’s safety. Always follow lifeguard directions.
11. Children under age 12 years are not permitted in the pool area without a supervising adult.
12. Kick boards, water weights and swim belts are for laps and adult use only.
13. Underwater lap swimming and breath holding contests are prohibited.
14. For your safety please refrain from playing or swinging on the pool ladder, lane lines, ropes or the pool stair hand rails.
15. Diving, pushing, dunking, throwing, horseplay, splashing and riding on shoulders is not permitted .
16. Keep all food and drink away from the pool, glass is not permitted on the pool deck.
17. No chewing gum in the pool area.
18. Lap swimmers must circle swim when there are more than two lap swimmers in lap lane.  Lap lanes are not used for free swim.
19. Profanity, arguing or abusive language of any kind will not be tolerated.
20. No person under the influence of alcohol or drugs is allowed to use the pool
21. At the sound of thunder, pools and pool decks will close immediately and all activities will remain suspended for 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard, as prescribed by the National Lightning Safety Institute

*If you have a question about whether or not your attire is appropriate, please see the Aquatics Staff before entering the water. Please keep in mind that the YMCA is a family-friendly facility and outfits should be modest in nature.