Welcome new members!

Members are expected to purchase a membership at the branch they intend to use most of the time. Members may use all branches within the Greater Philadelphia YMCA. We reserve the right to transfer a membership if a member violates the policy. The Y will notify the member 30 days in advance of the transfer. Please visit your home YMCA for more information about this policy.

The YMCA has established a minimum age for youth to use the YMCA facilities. Members under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who also has an active YMCA membership aged 18 years or older, at all times. This includes entering the YMCA, using the Basketball Gym, Fitness Center, Track, Pool and all other areas of the Y.

If a member under the age of 12 is enrolled in a paid program (i.e swim lessons, sports, gymnastics, etc.), a parent or guardian must accompany the child to the program, but does not need to have an active membership to be present.

Members aged 10-11 years old may use the Cardio and Selectorized Equipment after completing a fitness orientation with one of our fitness team members to learn proper use of equipment and safe, effective workout techniques. However, while using the fitness center, a parent or guardian aged 18 years or older must be present and be a Y member. Members ages 10-11 years old are not permitted to use free weights.

Members aged 12-14 years old may use all Cardio and Selectorized Equipment as well as free weights on their own after completing a fitness consultation with a member of our fitness team.

Members aged 15 and up can use the entirety of the Fitness Center freely; however, we strongly encourage a fitness orientation prior to using the facility.

Note: Any member, regardless of age, must follow our YMCA member code of conduct or permission to use the facility may be revoked.

Members aged 10 -11 years old may participate in select Group Exercise Classes after completing a fitness orientation with one of our fitness team members to learn safe, effective workout techniques. However, a parent or guardian aged 18 years or older must be present and be a Y member. This age group is not permitted to participate in strength training classes including Bootcamp & BodyPUMP.

Members aged 12-14 years old may participate in all Group Exercise Classes after completing a fitness orientation with one of our fitness team members.

Members aged 15 and up may participate in any of our Group Exercise Classes.

Note: Any member, regardless of age, must follow our YMCA member code of conduct or permission to use the facility may be revoked.

Free guest passes are provided to Members, 18 or older, as a benefit of your membership and to encourage new members to join the Y. For the safety of our guests and members, all guests must be accompanied by a current Adult Member. Adult members may bring up to 2 guests per Y visit. Each guest may only visit three times in a calendar year and must present a valid photo ID to participate in any activity at the Y.

Guest access and hours may vary by location.

Outdoor Pool

Guests are not permitted at the outdoor pool facilities at the Upper Perkiomen Valley Y. Outdoor pool pass holders at the Ambler, Phoenixville, and Spring Valley Y's may bring 5 guests per purchased pool pass, not 5 guests per member. Only members 18+ who are pool pass holders can bring guests to the pool. No day passes are available unless you are a paid guest of an Outdoor Pool Pass holder.

Waivers must be signed by guests at the time of registration for the outdoor pool passes. Guests must present the receipt given at the time of purchase at the outdoor pool check-in station to enter the pool. Outdoor guest policies may vary by branch.

KidZone is a value-added member benefit and is included with the cost of full privilege Greater Philadelphia YMCA memberships. It is not available for youth, teen, program, or nationwide members. This service is offered on-site with convenient drop-in hours that vary by location. Hours are subject to change around holidays. Advanced registration is not required and KidZone is operated on a first-come, first-served basis. This service is intended to support parents while using the facility. Parents must remain at the YMCA and are limited to two hours per day. New child check-in stops 30 minutes before closing time. Parents will be contacted to pick up their children if there are any problems. Click here for our full KidZone policies.

Nationwide Membership enables active, full facility YMCA members to visit any participating YMCA in the United States through membership at their home YMCA. We encourage members to verify with the branch they intend to visit if they qualify for access through nationwide membership.

Program-only participants are not eligible for nationwide membership. Special memberships (group homes, Silver Sneakers, Silver & Fit, other agencies, etc.) are not eligible. Nationwide member visitors must use their home Y at least 50% of the time. We offer this because we want to help you reach your health and wellness goals wherever you live, work or travel. This is an essential part of our mission to strengthen communities. To find a Y in another location, go to ymca.org/find-your-y.

Nationwide access and hours for Greater Philadelphia YMCA branches may vary by location.

All children under the age of 12 must be under adult supervision while using the pool, in addition to the supervision of our trained YMCA lifeguards. Adults supervising these child(ren) must be 18 years or older and have an active YMCA membership. However, adults accompanying their child to a swim lesson program are not required to have a Y membership.

• Children 6 and Under: Must be supervised in the water even after successful completion of the shallow or deep-water test. Adults supervising these child(ren) must be 18 years or older and have an active YMCA membership.
• Children 7-11: Do not have to be supervised by an adult in the water unless they cannot pass the shallow water test. If they pass the test, an adult must supervise but can remain on the pool deck. If the child cannot pass the shallow water test, in-water supervision by an adult is required. Adults supervising these child(ren) must be 18 years or older and have an active YMCA membership.

All children 16 and under (members and guests) will be swim tested and marked with a colored wrist band. Children who have been swim tested must verify their swimming ability on subsequent visits by wearing the wrist band or be re-tested. Swimmers of any age may also be swim tested at the discretion of the lifeguard.

Shallow Water Swim Test – Orange Band

Swimmers must be able to maneuver from a vertical position to a horizontal position on their front and back, and then return to a vertical position, swim 10 yards on front, maintaining positive body position (legs should not drop past 45 degree angle).

Children who pass the Shallow Water Test will:

• Wear an orange wrist band
• Stay in the shallow end of the pool

Children who can’t pass the Shallow Water Test will:

• Stay in the shallow end of the pool
• Be supervised in the water by an adult or teen within arm’s length
• Wear a coastguard approved PFD (personal flotation device) if between the ages of 12 months up to 12 years and be identified by wearing a red wrist band - PFDs are not required in bodies of water less than 2 feet in depth
• Age 12-16 who cannot pass the shallow water test will be required to wear a red wrist band and remain in the shallow end of the pool, no deeper than armpit depth

Deep Water Swim Test – Green Band

Participant must be able to maneuver from a vertical position to a horizontal position on their front and back, then swim half of a length of the pool, arm over arm front crawl with their face in the water into deep water, maintaining positive body position (legs should not drop past 45 degree angle), tread for 1 minute, swim the remainder of the length, exit the pool without assistance, and jump into the deep end. Swimmer may not rest or stop during the test. If the participant cannot complete all aspects of the test, the test is failed.

Children who pass the Deep Water Test will:

• Wear a green wrist band
• Be allowed to swim anywhere in the pool