POOL POLICIES
AGE GUIDELINES
AGE GUIDELINES FOR GROUPS
For families supervising multiple children, the supervising adult must ensure they can consistently maintain appropriate proximity, visibility, and immediate response capability for all children who are non-swimmers or require hands-on supervision.
CHILD CARE REQUIREMENTS
EXCLUSION FROM CARE OR ILLNESS AT CENTER
Any child who cannot participate in a regular child care program due to discomfort, injury or other symptoms of illness may be refused care. A facility serving well children may not admit a child who has any of the illnesses/symptoms of illness specified below:
Children with the following symptoms should be excluded from child care unless they are under the care of a physician and the physician has approved in writing their return to child care:
The parent shall be notified immediately when a child has symptoms requiring exclusion from care. The child will be kept isolated from other children until the child is removed from the facility.
If your child is sent home due to illness, he/she must be free of any of the above symptoms for at least 24 hours before returning to the Center. If on antibiotics, child cannot return until 24 hours after first dose. If given Tylenol, child cannot return until 24 hours after last dose and must be fever free. Please notify staff if your child has experienced any side effects from their medicine.
POOL/TRANSPORTATION
BEHAVIORS/INCEDENTS
The YMCA is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all. To promote safety and comfort, the YMCA asks all persons to act appropriately at all times when in our facilities, on our property, or participating in our programs. We expect everyone using the YMCA to act maturely, to behave responsibly, and to respect the rights and dignity of others. The actions listed below, which are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of behaviors, are considered inappropriate and are prohibited in our facilities or programs:
In addition, the YMCA reserves the right to deny access or membership to any person who has been accused or convicted of any crime involving sexual abuse and is or has been a registered sex offender, or is currently under the influence of illegal or dangerous drugs or chemicals, narcotics, or intoxicating beverages.
The Sheridan County YMCA screens all current members and guests before gaining entrance to the YMCA facility.
Anyone who believes this Code of Conduct is being violated should report the behavior to YMCA staff immediately. Staff members are available to assist and support as needed.
Suspension or termination of YMCA membership may result from a violation of this Code of Conduct. While an incident is being investigated, the membership of the person(s) accused of violating this Code of Conduct may be temporarily suspended pending a final decision.
The YMCA reserves the right to make situational decisions based on its mission and values.
DROP IN REQUIREMENTS:
EXCLUSION FROM CARE OR ILLNESS AT CENTER
Any child who cannot participate in a regular child care program due to discomfort, injury or other symptoms of illness may be refused care. A facility serving well children may not admit a child who has any of the illnesses/symptoms of illness specified below
The parent shall be notified immediately when a child has symptoms requiring exclusion from care. The child will be kept isolated from other children until the child is removed from the facility.
If your child is sent home due to illness, he/she must be free of any of the above symptoms for at least 24 hours before returning to the Center. If on antibiotics, child cannot return until 24 hours after first dose. If given Tylenol, child cannot return until 24 hours after last dose and must be fever free. Please notify staff if your child has experienced any side effects from their medicine.
INFANTS
EVACUATIONS
FIRE ALARM / EMERGENCY NOTICE
INCIDENT REPORTS
MEMBER RESPONSIBILITY
STAFF ON DUTY
FACILITY CLOSURE
Individuals 9ths grade and older are welcome to utilize the strength training/aerobic facilities and programs. The exception is if you have completed a Parent/Youth orientation. Weight room supervisors are available to assist members when unfamiliar with any of the strength or cardio equipment.
To ensure a safe, comfortable and clean facility, we ask that the following policies be followed:
It is the policy of the Y to make membership available to all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or financial circumstances without discrimination. Memberships include, unless otherwise stated, use of the social areas, pools, gyms, running track, weight room, racquetball courts, classes, and the locker rooms. Program rates will also reflect membership vs. community members.
Financial Assistance:
It is the policy of the Sheridan County YMCA to serve all people regardless of financial situation. No individual will be refused a Y membership for reasons of economic hardship. Financial aid for families, adults, and seniors will be based on the guideline for income with consideration given to medical, special circumstances, and cases of hardship. Memberships are granted for 3 months, 6 months, or one year. Renewal of scholarship memberships will not be an automatic continuation but will require a new form to be filled out upon expiration.
Membership Duration:
The Y offers monthly, annual, and perpetual (draft) memberships. Dues are payable upon billing.
Fee Return Policy (Updated: May 2025)
The Sheridan County YMCA reserves the right to charge a $10 fee for any returned drafts. Members will be notified by email if a draft is returned. If the balance is not paid within two weeks, a follow-up letter will be sent.
Unpaid balances must be resolved before members can access the facility. If the balance remains unpaid, membership will be cancelled prior to the next scheduled draft. Full payment is required before reactivating membership.
Joiner’s Fee:
When a member renews a membership within 90 days of the last expiration date, they will not be subject to a Joiner’s Fee. However, if more than 90 days have elapsed, a person will be subject to joining/initiation fees. A member in good standing from another Y will not be charged a joiner’s fee. This information may be received through a letter from their former Y or by calling their former Y and confirming their membership.
Suspension or Revocation of Membership:
Membership privileges may be suspended or revoked by the Executive Director. The length of suspension or a refund of membership dues or fees will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Automated Renewal Policy
All annual memberships are set to automatically renew at the end of the membership term. Prior to renewal, members will receive a notification with details about the upcoming renewal, including the renewal date, rate, and instructions for cancellation. Members will have the opportunity to cancel or make changes before the renewal is processed. If no action is taken, the membership will renew automatically under the same terms.
Membership Cancellation/Refund:
We are committed to making membership changes as simple as joining. Members may cancel their membership using any of the same methods available for enrollment—whether in person, online, or by phone. No complicated steps or hidden requirements—just straightforward, accessible options that support your needs.
Memberships will remain active through the next applicable billing cycle based on membership type.
A. A draft membership may be canceled and will expire one day prior to the next scheduled draft.
B. Annual memberships may be canceled at any time. Refunds will be considered for the remaining membership if cancellation is due to illness or relocation.
C. Refunds will not be approved based on non-use of the facilities.
Membership Hold:
Members are allowed to put their draft membership on hold for up to three months in a year. Annual members are allowed to put their memberships on hold for up to three months in a year. Their membership expiration date will be extended to reflect the hold.
Sex Offenders:
We consider it of great importance to provide a safe and threat-free environment. For this reason, the Sheridan County YMCA monitors the sexual offender registry. Persons on the list will not be eligible for a Y membership, program participation, volunteer, or employment opportunities. Individuals who are found ineligible will receive written notification of their status.
Reciprocal Agreements:
A. Transfers between individuals: Membership, particularly membership privileges or program registration, shall not be transferred from one person to another.
B. Transfers between associations: Members who desire to transfer to another Y will need to cancel their membership. Memberships are not transferable between other associations.
C. Nationwide: The Sheridan County YMCA participates in YUSA Nationwide Membership. This enables active members to visit any participating YMCA in the United States. We also recognize those individuals who are visiting us while members at other YMCA’s in the United States. Once a member begins to visit our Y 51% of the time, we will expect them to become members at our Y.
D. Tongue River Valley Community Center: Members of TRVCC will be allowed basic membership privileges at the Sheridan County YMCA. Individuals desiring memberships to the Gold Centers must receive their membership throug1h the Y.
E. The Sheridan County YMCA extends complimentary memberships to those listed. The memberships will be handled through our
Scholarship process.
• International Exchange Students
• Foster Children
• AmeriCorps Members
These individuals may also be added to an existing membership.
• Grandparents raising Grandchildren
F. Group/Corporate Memberships: The Y will work individually with other organizations or businesses in the community that are interested in offering and supporting a Y membership for their staff and staff families. Each organization or business will determine how to set up their staff memberships.
YMCA Inclusion Policy:
The Sheridan County YMCA is committed to diversity, inclusion, and safety. The Y’s mission is to serve everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, faith, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or gender identity.
In our best efforts to maintain a strong relationship with our diverse membership base and ensure members feel safe and their privacy is respected, we are implementing the following practice:
YMCA Inclusion Practice As a community-based non-profit organization and in line with the Sheridan County YMCA’s Inclusion Policy, we are committed to reflecting the diverse communities and membership we serve. All members are permitted to use the Y’s private changing rooms, located in the Family Locker Room, for dressing, showering, and bathroom use. The Y remains open to discussing options and any other inclusion-related challenges that may occur on an ongoing basis in an effort to serve its membership and the community at large. We welcome any opportunity for further discussion.
Locker Use/Rentals:
The Sheridan County YMCA has a group of lockers available for rental on a first-come, first-served basis in the Women/Men Basic Locker Rooms. If a locker is not available, a waitlist will be created and assignments will be made in order. All other lockers are for day use only. If personal locks are placed on lockers in the Women/Men Basic Locker Room, and it is not a rented locker, a notice will be placed on the locker. After a period of three days, the lock and contents will be removed, labeled, and stored. All lockers assigned for the Women/Men Gold Center are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If a locker is available, a member may request the locker or ask for a locker change. Each locker has a combination lock assigned to the specific locker. A member may choose to use a personal lock. The Y asks to be notified if they furnish their own lock.
Locker Rooms:
Members may access either the Basic or Family Locker Rooms. All youth older than 3 years of age are asked to use the Family Locker Room with an adult. Family Locker Rooms do not allow multiple persons in the changing/shower rooms at one time. Exceptions would be parents assisting their child(ren) or an adult providing assistance to another adult for health reasons.
Lost or Stolen Items: The Sheridan County YMCA is not responsible for unattended items on the facility property. This includes contents of any lockers, assigned lockers, or day use lockers.
Maintenance Closure: Each year, the Y will close for nine days to complete maintenance and repairs within the facility. Annual/Draft memberships are not adjusted for this closure. Monthly memberships will be adjusted based on the purchase of the membership and the closure of the Y.
To support a sustainable and equitable program structure, the Sheridan County YMCA has adopted a consistent refund policy for all programs.
● A 50% refund to the original method of payment will be issued for cancellations made at least two weeks prior to the program start date.
● No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within two weeks of the program start date.
● Transfers between programs are not permitted.
● Late registrations may be allowed only if space permits and with approval from the Program Director.
● Any distributed uniforms or materials must be returned if a refund is granted.
● Exceptions for extenuating circumstances (e.g., major illness or injury) may be considered at the discretion of the relevant Program Director.
This policy ensures fairness for all participants and helps maintain the financial and operational health of our programs.
Making sure the Y is safe for kids and families is fundamental to all that we do. We are committed to the well-being and safety of children. However, the Y facility is not designed or licensed to provide basic childcare needs. Any public place may be unsafe for a child whom is left unattended for long periods of time.
Throughout our programs, in our facility and with trained staff, we implement strict policies to ensure safety.
Members ages 0-12
In our facility, youth under the age of 12 will need to:
Members ages 12-13
Members ages 14-18
Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children while at the Y. If a child is disruptive, staff will follow current Y policies. Parents will be contacted if the disruptive behavior either continues and/or warrants further action.
Please note that the aquatic center will close at 6:00 PM on July 8th due to staffing. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience.
