About the Y

WHO WE ARE

The Y is a cause-driven organization focused on three key areas: youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. We believe a strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health, and our neighbors. Our programs, services, and initiatives enable youth to realize their potential, offer families ways to have fun together, empower people to be healthier in spirit, mind, and body, welcome and embrace newcomers, and help foster social responsibility. 

OUR MISSION

The Skagit Valley Family YMCA creates positive community change through relationships by empowering the mind, body, and spirit of ALL.

OUR COMMITMENT TO NONDISCRIMINATION, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

The Skagit Valley Family YMCA is an organization that embraces nondiscrimination, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome all people regardless of ability, age, background, ethnicity/race, faith, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. The Y believes that, in a diverse world, we are stronger when we are inclusive, when our doors are open to all, and when everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. 

As our laws and communities continue to change, one thing is constant: the Y is, and always will be, a place where individuals and families from all walks of life are welcome and where they may learn, grow, and thrive - together.

OUR COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY

The Skagit Valley Family YMCA works hard to keep our kids safe. We require a complete criminal, personal and professional background check of each staff and volunteer member. Additionally, all members and guests who enter the Y facility are immediately screened through a local and national sex offender registry. 

Here are some additional practices that the Y has in place to protect children in our care:

• Not only all staff, but also volunteers, must read and follow our child abuse prevention policy. Our policy is strict: it prohibits a Y staff person or volunteer from being alone with a child where they cannot be observed by others. 
• All staff and volunteers are required to participate in training about the prevention of child abuse, identifying the signs of abuse and reporting suspected abuse incidents. staff renew this training every year. Staff and volunteers in direct service with children are required to undergo additional child abuse prevention trainings. 
• If any Y staff member or volunteer become aware of any incident of suspected child abuse, they are required to report the incident to the Washington Department of Social and Health Services immediately for investigation and follow up. 
• The YMCA conducts regular sex offender screenings on all members, participants, and guests. If a sex offender match occurs, the YMCA reserves the right to cancel membership, end program participation, and remove visitation access. 

HARASSMENT PREVENTION 

Harassment includes unsolicited remarks, gestures or physical contact, display or circulation of written materials, or pictures derogatory or either gender or racial, ethnic, or religious groups including electronic exchange or posting to this end, or basing personnel decisions on an employee or volunteer's response to sexually-oriented requests. It is considered sexual harassment when verbal, written, electronic, or physical conduct is sexual in nature or is gender-based; that is, it is directed at a person because of their gender. 

NEW! YOUTH GUIDELINES 

In order to provide a safe and positive experience for our youth, the following guidelines will apply to all youth who are not participating in a supervised, structured program while in the facility: 

·  “Supervising individuals” are defined as persons 14 and over (18+ in Wellness Center).

· Youth ages 7 and under must have direct supervision at all times. 

· Youth ages 8 -11 must be accompanied by a supervising individual who remains in the building. The supervising individual does not have to be in the same area as the youth. The youth may sign themselves in and out of the program areas if required and follow the age restrictions posted for specific rooms and activities. 

· Youth ages 12-13 are not required to be accompanied by a supervising individual but are subject to the age restrictions for specific areas as outlined below. Guardians must sign youth activity waivers for each youth before they are allowed to be in the building without supervision.

· Youth ages 14 and older are considered adults only for the purpose of use of the facilities and programs. They may sign themselves in and out of program areas, if required, within the facility and may participate in adult fitness classes unaccompanied by an adult. Orientation to the facility and equipment may be required. 

Wellness Center: Hours, Height and Age Restrictions

· The Wellness Center is open for youth under 14 on Friday afternoons (1:30pm-close) and all-day Sundays.

· All youth under the age of 14 must meet height requirements and attend Wellness 101 before being allowed to use equipment.

· Youth ages 12 and 13 may use equipment without supervision if they meet height requirements and after completing Wellness 101 orientation.

· Youth ages 8-11 must be accompanied by a supervising adult who remains in the room and is actively monitoring the youth.

· Exercise Classes: Youth ages 7 and up may participate with a supervising individual if they are willing and able to follow class structure. Restrictions may apply at the instructor’s discretion.

Youth age 7 and under are not permitted in the Wellness Center (exceptions may be made for infants that are secured in an approved device that are in close proximity to an adult.)

Aquatics Center: Age and Swimming Ability Restrictions

· All youth are subject to swim testing and the applicable restrictions based on swimming ability, which may include an adult accompanying the child in the water. 

· Pool (this applies to open/recreational swim times): Youth age 7 and under must be accompanied by a supervising individual who is present in the pool area.

· Spa/Whirlpool/Steam Rooms: Children age 11 and under are not permitted in spa/whirlpools (this includes sitting on the side and soaking feet and/or legs). Children ages 12 and 13 may be permitted with adult supervision.

Locker/Shower Facilities

· Youth age 5 and under may use the opposite sex locker room if accompanied by a supervising individual. Children 6 and older must use the same gender locker room and showers or the Universal Locker room.

For the safety of our members, failure to abide by these guidelines or for misconduct may result in lost privileges.

 (Updated March 3rd, 2020)

OUR HISTORY

The YMCA was founded in London in 1844. Since then, the Y has grown into an organization serving communities all over the world. 

The Skagit Valley Family YMCA was established in 1911 as a Railway Y, providing a safe, positive environment for men working on the railway away from their families. 

OUR BOARD

Paul Pickering, President - Max Dale's

Rod Cann, Treasurer - Savi Bank

Josh Baldwin, Secretary - Quantum Construction Inc.

Duane Henson, Past President - WAFD Insurance Group Inc.

Dan Berard - Mount Vernon School District

Luanne Burkhart - Blue Lake Property Management

Laura Cailloux - Skagit Valley College

Dave Cleave - Retired YMCA

Gautam Kini - Shell

KC Knudson - Anacortes School District

Gary Lorenz - Skagit Gardens

Opie Moore (Ulmer) - Retired

Randy Rabenstein - Retired YMCA

Kelly Reep - Skagit Valley College

Pete Vander Meulen - Diversint