The ABCs of the YMCA

Bank Drafts

The bank/credit card draft plan is a continuous monthly membership plan. The monthly amount is withdrawn on the 1st of each month. If you wish to cancel membership, you must give the YMCA 15 days’ written notice prior to the draft date. If you wish to change your membership type, you must complete a membership change form by the 25th of the month prior to the month you wish to change. It is your responsibility to notify the Y in writing of any change to your bank or credit card accounts.

Check-In and Check-Out Procedures

The Y is a membership facility. All members must check in and check out of the YMCA building using their membership key tag. There are two separate stations for check in and check out located at the Welcome Center.

Child Safe Environment

Code of Conduct

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all members, staff, volunteers and guests. We are a not-for-profit organization that embraces the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. By joining the YMCA, you as a member are agreeing to these values. To promote safety and comfort for all, we ask all individuals to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with these values. If at any time your behavior does not support these values, the YMCA has the right to revoke your membership.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and the new safety protocols and facility procedures in place, we are requiring all members using the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA facility and programs to sign a new Release and Waiver of Legal Liability and Code of Conduct. Please click on the link below to read and sign the Release and Waiver and Code of Conduct. You will need the barcode on your Y membership key tag to access the agreements.

Member Release and Waiver and Code of Conduct Agreements

If you have any trouble signing the agreements electronically, please contact membership@fspymca.org.

Electronic Devices/Cell Phone Use

Due to the photographic capabilities of cell phones and other electronic devices (including iPods), they are banned from use in all locker and restroom areas. Video recorders, cameras, or any other visual recording devices are not allowed within the YMCA without the consent of a YMCA Program Director and is limited to their program area only. No such device may be used in any locker room at any time. Anyone caught taking pictures of another person without their permission and knowledge will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law by the YMCA and will lead to the termination of their membership.

Guests

Active members are provided 3 complimentary passes per calendar year to the FSPY. Members will be charged $10.00 per additional guest. All membership types, except youth membership, can bring a guest 13 years of age or older to the Y. Limit 2 guests per visit.

  • A parent/guardian must sign a waiver for guests under the age of 18 before the guest can visit the Y.
  • Guests 18 and over must present a valid photo ID and sign a waiver.
  • All guests must follow the FSPY usage guidelines and age restrictions for specific areas of the Y, such as the Wellness Center, Gym and Pool.
  • Members must stay with their guests at all times during their visit.

To sign a guest waiver online, go to fspymca.org/join-the-y and create a non-member account for the guest.

Locker Rooms

The Adult Locker Rooms are for adults age 18 and older only. Please follow the guidelines below for use of the Youth Locker rooms. Family changing rooms are available for adults with children of the opposite gender.

Youth locker room use:

  • Children under the age of 18 must use the Youth Locker rooms; use of adult locker rooms is not permitted.
  • Children age 6 -17 must use the appropriate youth locker room for their gender
  • Adult females must use the girl’s locker room and adult males must use the boy’s locker room regardless of the child’s gender.

Make-Up Classes

In order to achieve the maximum benefit from our programs, attendance at every class is highly recommended. Due to the nature of our programs, student to instructor ratios and safety, make-up classes are not available. Credits/refunds will not be given unless the Y cancels the program.

Masks

Masks are now optional for all members and staff. We ask that you please continue to follow our four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility at all times. Please respect others’ choice to continue wearing a mask knowing that they may be taking extra precautions or have personal reasons for doing so.

Membership ID Cards

All members (adults and children) must present their Y Membership cards to check in and out of the building each time they visit the Y. If a lost card is not located after a 10-day grace period (or 3 manual entries, whichever comes first), a new card will be issued for a fee of $5.00.

Adults associated with a Youth, Teen or Program membership will receive a Y Yellow Card that must be scanned every time they enter the facility. A Yellow Card only provides access to enter the building and does not allow use of the facility or participation in classes.

Nationwide Membership

Your Y membership allows you to visit any participating YMCA in the United States and Puerto Rico, at no additional cost. Some restrictions may apply or vary among the participating Ys. Please call ahead before visiting another Y as some may have certain restrictions due to COVID-19. 

Nationwide members visiting the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Y can use the wellness center, participate in lap swim, open gym and aquatic fitness classes. Nationwide members may participate in group exercise classes, if space allows. Please let the welcome center staff know if you would like to attend a group exercise class.

Nationwide memberships cannot bring guests to the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Y. Youth 12 and under must be part of a family membership and accompanied by an adult member.

Parking

Safety is everyone’s first concern when it comes to picking up and dropping off your child in the parking lot. The front area is designated for a “stop and drop” and pick-up area. When picking up, please enter through the back of the parking lot (follow the loop all the way to the back). When you see your child at the apron outside, please pull up to the front of the building and pick up, exiting the parking lot straight ahead. If you arrive prior to your child being outside the building, please pull into an established parking spot (not handicapped). Other than drop off or pick up, there is no standing in front of the building.

Please keep in mind that handicapped spaces are only to be used by vehicles displaying official handicapped identification. Park in designated spots only; Illegal parking creates a safety hazard. We reserve the right to tow if necessary.

Pools

Lap swimming/water walking is available to active members 13 years and older. Please follow these guidelines when using the pool:

  • Reservations are not needed and drop-ins are welcome for lap swim and water walking at all times.
  • Members are able to select the lane they want to use from those that are open. If all lanes are taken, you may be asked to wait in a designated area or share a lane. If lane sharing, members will be asked to start on opposite ends of the pool.
  • Adult Locker Rooms are open for changing, showering and storing your belongings. Please bring your own lock if you would like to keep personal belongings in a locker while you are using the pool.
  • Pools will close in the event of an electrical storm.

Please review the following guidelines for Family Swim:

  • Reservations are not required for Family Swim.
  • No more than 40 people will be allowed in the pool at one time.
  • Check in at the Welcome Center will begin 15 minutes before the session starts.
  • If the pool is at capacity (40 people) when you arrive, you will be asked to wait on the pool deck bleachers until spots become available.

Program Participation

An active, current Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA membership is required in order to participate in most classes and programs. Some fee-based programs are open to the community.

Refund/Credit Policy

Membership and program fees are non-refundable.

If the Y is closed due to a public health emergency, members will be notified via email and on our website at fspymca.org about their options for membership and program fees.

Credits/Refunds are not given for closings due to inclement weather or weather-related emergencies.

If you cannot attend a program, requests for credits must be submitted, in writing, 7 days prior to the start of the session using a Credit Request form available by emailing membership@fspymca.org. Upon the Program Director’s discretion, credits may be issued for medical reasons when in writing and accompanied by a Doctor’s note. Credits will be prorated based on the number of classes attended. All credits are subject to a $10.00 processing fee. Credits are valid for one year from date of issue.

The YMCA reserves the right to cancel programs due to low enrollment. In the event a program is cancelled, a credit/refund will be available (upon written request).

Please refer to the Child Care, School Age Child Care and Camp Program Handbooks for credit information specific to those areas.

The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA will not issue a refund for unused system credits. Please contact membership@fspymca.org if you have questions about when credits expire.

Returned Payments

If a payment (check, EFT, credit card) is returned for insufficient funds, a $25.00 processing fee will be charged. If two consecutive or three or more payments are returned within a calendar year, payments must be made by cash or money order. Memberships will be canceled if the outstanding balance is not paid within 30 days.

Sex Offender Screening Procedures

Our primary concern is the safety of all the individuals, families and children who come to the Y. That is why all YMCAs conduct regular sex offender screenings on all members, participants and guests. All visitors must provide a state or government-issued photo ID to be run through a national sex offender database before entering the building.

If a sex offender match occurs, the YMCA reserves the right to cancel membership, end program participation and remove visitation access.

Swim Tests

Swimmers wishing to swim in the deep end must pass a swim test. For swimmer safety, the test will be given at the lifeguard’s discretion and only when there is more than one lifeguard on duty. Upon successful completion of the swim test, the swimmer will receive a green wrist band to wear while swimming. Swimmers who have not taken the test must remain in the shallow end.

Transfers

$5.00 will be charged for transfers from class to class for each time a transfer occurs and for each individual transferred.

Weather

During inclement weather, call the Y at 908-889-8880 for updated information or visit our website or Facebook page. You can also download our Daxko Mobile App (Apple or Android) and subscribe to push notifications to receive facility updates. The Pools will close in the event of an electrical storm.

Wellness Center

The Wellness Center is available to Full Members ages 14 and older.  For the health, safety and enjoyment of our members, we ask that everyone please comply with the following guidelines for the Wellness Center:

  • Members are required to scan in at the Welcome Center upon entering the YMCA building. Members will also be asked to check in and check out of  the Wellness Center.
  • Each member will be given a bottle with cleaning solution when they arrive. Members are required to wipe down machines before and after each use. When finished with your workout, please put the cleaning solution bottle in the “Used Bottles Here” designated bin. Staff also will be disinfecting equipment.
  • Members are asked to bring their own equipment, i.e. mats, towels, water bottles, etc.

Please note: Once completing our Teen Wellness program, youth ages 12-13 in grades 7-8 can use our Wellness Center during designated times. Any FSPY member ages 12-13 may use the cardio equipment in the Wellness Center when accompanied by an active adult FSPY member during designated times.

Learn more here.