Frequently Asked Questions

The Y is committed to following guidelines and recommendations from Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

On February 28, 2022, Governor Jay Inslee announced that the Washington State indoor mask mandate ends on March 12, 2022. Beginning March 12, masks are optional in our YMCA community centers throughout Pierce and Kitsap Counties.

We are operating in compliance with all government guidelines to maintain a healthy environment for everyone. The statewide change means masks are optional in all Y community centers.

As we understand the current guidelines, masks are optional for both staff and members at the Y. We ask our community to respect and support everyone’s personal choice.

There are no guidelines or mandates requiring proof of vaccination status. The Y will not require or request this information from staff or members.

Our Y remains committed to creating a safe environment for everyone. We’ve defined health and safety according to our local and state guidelines throughout the pandemic. We’ll continue to do so. Our cleanliness protocols and facility spacing will be maintained. We’ll make every effort to ensure the Y is safe.

Please use the activity finder or view the program schedules to plan your visit. Learn more about registration for youth programs.

We work intentionally to serve our community and to successfully do so we regularly evaluate all areas of our operation. To ensure access for our current members we've maintained our pricing, access to scholarships, and reduced barriers such as joining fees. We've forged ahead in expanding access to community guests and as part of that effort we evaluated and adjusted our rates to accommodate for the services we provide. We value the opportunity to provide a quality guest experience and strongly encourage membership as we are a membership-based nonprofit. Members are welcome to refer a friend or family member for one free visit using our YMCAPKC app.

Locker rooms and showers are fully open and available.

• Bring your own towel and lock, and be prepared to use our gym wipes to wipe down spaces before and after every use.
• Maintain six feet between you and others in the locker room.
• All showers include privacy barriers and are open.
• YMCA staff are committed to regular cleaning throughout the day to maintain a healthy environment for everyone.

The Y is where you can achieve health in spirit, mind, and body. Learn more about current Healthy Living programs and classes. Virtual programs are available anytime, anywhere on YMCA360.

Youth programs available for registration include:

• Dance
• Gymnastics (preschool, recreation, and team)
• Performing Arts
• Summer and Break Camps
• Swim Lessons
• Theater Toddler
• Gym
• Visual Arts
• Youth Sports
• Youth PE

Learn more about registration for youth programs.

Aquatics

Aquatics centers are open for lap swimming, water aerobics, and open swim. Saunas and stream rooms are available. Please check out the aquatics schedule for more information.

Youth Drop-In Zone

Youth Drop-In Zone is free for youth members ages 7-14 and accessible within participating YMCAs. It’s open Monday-Thursday, 4-8pm. For more information, check with the Welcome Center at your local Y.

Court Sports

Court sports, including basketball, handball, pickleball, racquetball, and squash. Please view the court and gym schedule for more information.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing walls are being phased into our operations. Please check the schedule for availability.

Child Care

YMCA Child Care is open to serve children in our Early Learning Centers and Before and After School Care sites at local schools. Registration is available online.

Camp

YMCA Camp Seymour Outdoor and Environmental Education is expected to return for the 2021-2022 school year. Learn more about Camp Seymour.

We continue to evaluate usage data and member feedback, as it relates to our operations roadmap. Current days and hours of operation are available for each Y community center.

We’ve had preventative maintenance completed on our systems, including filter replacement, at each of our community centers and child care locations. We’ve also adjusted controls for additional outside air where possible.

Learn More and Register

No. Participants will not be required to wear masks. Masks will be optional and at the discretion of the family.

Each of our child care sites will fall into compliance with the mask expectations of the school district that we're serving. Please connect with Child Care staff at your location for the latest information on COVID-19 guidelines.

We are offering Child Care at local schools to all families in our community at an affordable price. Find a school in your area at Child Care.

Yes, drop-in group exercise class offerings are available at your local Y. Find the class that meets your needs and goals through our schedule.

Yes. To maintain a healthy and safe environment for everyone, we ask all members to continue bringing their own gear for classes.

Yes, we currently have group exercise and individual workout opportunities. Find the class that meets your needs and goals in the schedule.

YMCA360 is your virtual gateway to the YMCA. Sign in easily and gain access to hundreds of on-demand and live classes so you can stay active anytime, anywhere.

Yes. All of our program spaces are available. Please view the court and gym schedule for more information.

Yes, indoor tracks are available and accessible.

Yes, members with strollers are welcome to walk, jog, or run on our community center indoor tracks.

Yes, the pools at our community centers are open for lap swim, open swim, and swim lessons. You can view pool schedules and youth registration information to plan your visit.

Hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms are available at all of our community centers. Saunas and steam rooms reopened on March 12, 2022.

Capacity and Distancing

Capacity in our saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs is limited. Please maintain six feet of distance between members whenever possible. If a sauna or steam room is at capacity, please wait until another member completes their time in the room.

Time Expectations

Members are asked to limit time in the sauna, steam room, and hot tub to 15 minutes. You may leave these amenities to cool off every 15 minutes and return to them pending capacity.

Showering Expectations

A cleansing soap shower is required, including hair, before entering all pools per WAC 246-260-131 (5)(V). A swim or shower cap may be worn in lieu of wetting hair. Please see hot tub guidelines posted at your local Y for additional health guidelines.

Age Guidelines

Hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms are available for use by members ages 15 years and older. Exceptions for Adapted Aquatics therapy program and medical cases with prior written authorization on file are considered for the hot tub. Adapted Aquatics therapy or medical cases exceptions are not accepted for saunas and steam rooms.

Safety Guidelines

• Pregnant women and people suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or any other medical condition should consult a physician before use.
• Swimming or vigorous exercise is not permitted.
• No prolonged breath holding activities of any type are allowed. Head must remain above water at all times.
• No one with open sores, bandages, communicable waterborne diseases, or has had vomiting/diarrhea in the past two weeks is permitted in the pools.

For safety purposes, all swimmers under the age of 15 must take a swim test and wear a swim band based on their swimming ability before entering the water. Other swimmers may be asked to take a swim test at the lifeguard’s discretion.

Our swim test is designed to check the swimming abilities of a child. Based on this test, the child receives a colored band that signifies their swimming ability.

Swim bands allow staff to identify children’s skill level and appropriate areas for swimming. No exceptions are permitted. More information is available on our Aquatics page.

Learn More

• Locker rooms and showers are fully open and available.
• Bring your own towel and lock, and be prepared to use our gym wipes to wipe down spaces before and after every use.
• Maintain six feet between you and others in the locker room.
• All showers include privacy barriers and are open.
• YMCA staff are committed to regular cleaning throughout the day to maintain a healthy environment for everyone.

We recommend teens and adults ages 15 and older for water aerobics. Youth ages 8-14 may join after they pass a lap swim test.

We are thrilled to welcome you back! Please visit your local Y to get started today or let us know when you’d like to activate online.

The Scott and Sis Names Family YMCA remains our top capital project priority. We are fundraising support to construct the project and are currently at $16.5 million raised toward our $20 million goal. Our progress is due to the generous individuals and families who are a part of our community. We invite you to contribute and learn more about the status of the Scott and Sis Names Y project.

We never want cost to be a reason you’re not able to receive the benefits of a Y membership. Scholarships help remove the financial barriers to accessing YMCA community centers, programs, and services.

Scholarships are provided based on household income and special circumstances. Please complete an application online and a Y staff member will contact you soon.

Yes. We are grateful to offer two membership opportunities covered by insurance. These include Silver&Fit® Premium Network and Renew Active Healthy Aging and Exercise Program. You can learn more about current insurance provider partnerships or by contacting your insurance provider.

Try the Y as a Guest

We would love you to try the Y! Learn more about rates and sign your waiver online.

Visit a Y around the Country

Our Y is part of Nationwide Reciprocity, which means we welcome Y members from out of the area to use our facilities as a Y member. We also encourage our Y members to visit Y's while you're traveling outside your county and request access to use the Y at no additional cost through Nationwide Reciprocity.

We want all of our members to stay healthy during this time. We’re working intentionally to rebuild your Y experience. An active Y membership means you can continue to enjoy indoor and outdoor workout opportunities, the pool, youth programs, and virtual classes. You may apply for a Scholarship or place your membership on hold at no cost. Please email us directly for support or questions.