Our Policies

Youth younger than 18 years of age are only permitted in specific areas of our facilities for their safety. Parents of youth younger than 12 years of age must remain on the YMCA campus, even when checked into Kids Zone. For a comprehensive list of age guidelines, please refer to the posted signs in each YMCA branch.

Youth & Teen Certifications

• Youth ages 10-12 years who wish to use cardio and selectorized equipment must become Youth Certified before doing so.
• Teens ages 13-15 years may use cardio and selectorized equipment and free weights after becoming Teen Certified.

As part of our ongoing efforts to maintain and improve the facilities and programs that you rely on, we are introducing a new annual facility fee. This fee will be charged once a year beginning on April 10, 2025, and the amount of the fee is dependent on your membership type with the YMCA. This fee will help us address increased operating costs and allow us to enhance our software, facilities, and equipment.

How the 2025 Facility Fee Will Support Our Mission

We recognize the importance of accessible, high-quality facilities for our members. Explore the current and upcoming enhancement projects across all of our membership branches below:

Sampson County YMCA

• Aquatics center improvements, including a new state-of-the-art pool heater and plumbing.
• Wellness floor enhancements, featuring a new audio system, MyZone technology, mirrors, and strength equipment.
• Enhanced youth and fitness programming space.

Midtown YMCA

• Facility enhancements in preparation for large-scale renovation efforts.
• Expansion of wellness programs, including additional group exercise classes and supplies.

Nir Family YMCA

• Upgraded strength equipment for wellness floor.
• Necessary replacement of gymnasium roof.
• Enhancements to universal, women's, and youth locker rooms, including a new heater in the women's steam room and new carpet.
• Improved ventilation in aquatics center.

We are also up-fitting both our Midtown and Nir Family YMCA facilities for 24/7 membership access. Click here to learn more about this membership add-on.

After careful consideration of the needs of our Y and members, and due to increased costs, this decision was made in lieu of a significant increase in membership rates.

We remain committed to supporting our families and providing accessible opportunities for all.

Thank you for your support of the YMCA and our mission.

To uphold our values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and faith, we expect everyone using our YMCA branches and facilities to adhere to the following: 

• Use cell phones, cameras, and other devices in a respectful manner without disrupting others’ personal space or privacy.   
• Follow dress code policies including those designated to specific areas.  
• Speak kindly to others and refrain from using vulgar or derogatory language.  
• Be honest. Theft or destruction of property will not be tolerated. 
• Care for our minors. Follow age-related guidelines and keep underage children in designated areas. 
• Be considerate of others and refrain from intimate or sexual behavior. 
• Resolve conflicts in a caring manner. Never resort to physical contact or threatening gestures.  
• Do not use tobacco, vaping devices, alcohol, or other harmful substances. 
• Respect our organization by not soliciting or conducting personal business. 

Everyone is encouraged to take personal responsibility for their safety and the safety of others at the YMCA. If anyone observes a problem or encounters an uncomfortable situation, they should report it to a YMCA staff member immediately.

Fitness Attire Dress Code Policy

Appropriate attire must be worn at all times.

• Form-fitted clothes are recommended for your safety.
• Shirts must be worn at all times and cover the majority of your torso.
• Closed-toed and closed-heel athletic shoes are required. No Crocs, flip-flops, sandals, or slides.
• Shorts and pants must cover the buttocks and not be see-through. No excessively short shorts.
• Attire should be worn in a manner which does not expose undergarments or personal/private areas through all ranges of motion.
• No clothing or tattoos with vulgar language, obscene gestures, racial slurs or anything that contributes to a hostile environment.

Locker Rooms

At the Y, we have male, female, and universal locker rooms or restrooms available at each branch. We address privacy-related situations every day in Y locker rooms – senior couples who need to assist one another, parents with children of the opposite sex, adults with special needs assisted by caretakers, and individuals who prefer private changing areas. That said, we are confident in our ability to serve all while maintaining the highest level of safety and comfort for everyone.

YMCAs are engaged in a National effort to upgrade and enhance our child protection policies. Because members of all ages share the locker rooms, please exercise discretion and modesty in regards to nudity. Appropriate coverage (towel, bathing suit or clothing) is required while within the common areas and when walking to and from the shower. This helps us maintain the comfort, privacy, and dignity of all members in our locker rooms.

Please do not eat or drink beverages (other than water stored in a sealed plastic container) in our restrooms or locker rooms. We ask that all patrons shower (rinse off) before entering our pools/hot tubs to maintain water quality and chemical balance. Photography is not allowed, and mobile phone conversations are discouraged — please get dressed and use your mobile device outside the locker room. Emergency phones are available in locker rooms and connect directly to our front desk in the case you need urgent assistance.

Sauna & Steam Rooms

When using the sauna or steam rooms in our various branches, please abide by all posted safety guidelines. You must be 18 years of age or older and be wearing appropriate clothing or a towel cover. Please shower beforehand and do not use lotions, oils or scented products. Water is the only beverage permitted inside and must be in a plastic container (no glass). For your safety, please limit use of sauna/steam room to a maximum of 15 minutes at a time.

Age Guidelines

Youth younger than 18 years of age are only permitted in specific areas of our facilities for their safety. Parents of youth younger than 12 years of age must remain on the YMCA campus, even when checked into Kids Zone. For a comprehensive list of age guidelines, please refer to the posted signs in each YMCA branch.

Dress Code

In general, the YMCA asks that you wear modest, appropriate attire for the activity that you are participating in and abide by the posted guidelines for specific areas in each facility. You must always have a shirt and shoes.

Protecting Your Valuables

We always encourage you to protect your belongings by locking your vehicle and only bringing into the facility what you need. Lockers are available for daily use at no cost (just bring your own lock) or can be rented monthly for long-term storage. Locks left overnight on daily use lockers will be removed and any items will be placed in lost and found and then donated to charity if not claimed within two weeks. The YMCA is not responsible for lost, left or stolen items.

Video Surveillance

Every facility has camera systems installed in public areas (not bathrooms or locker rooms) for your protection and security. We use these systems to monitor and also recall activity if an incident has occurred. Video footage can only be released to law enforcement officials upon a police report being filed.

FAQs

Who Are Universal Locker Rooms For? These locker rooms are available to anyone of any sex, as well as families, and are ADA compliant. We are continuing to assess future planning around facilities, focusing on access for all community members including senior couples assisting one another, caregivers, parents with disabled adult children, single parent/guardians with children of the opposite sex, and individuals who prefer private changing areas.

How Does the Y Ensure Privacy? Any member is welcome to use a private changing space such as the single-use restroom, private changing spaces in our male and female locker rooms or our universal locker room facilities.

What If I Am In Transition? We recognize that some people do not identify with their born sex and might be in the process of transitioning. We encourage these individuals to use the universal locker rooms/restrooms.

What If I Feel Uncomfortable or Unsafe at the Y? We care about the safety of all. If anyone observes a problem or encounters an uncomfortable situation, they should report it to a YMCA staff member immediately. As always, the Y does not tolerate behavior from anyone that would make others feel unsafe, and we will investigate any complaint of disrespectful or inappropriate conduct.

The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina is committed to respecting your privacy. This Privacy Notice describes how the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina collects, uses, discloses, stores and otherwise processes information. In addition, this Privacy Notice states how you can control the collection, use, correction, and deletion of your information.

We urge you to read this Privacy Notice so that you understand our commitment to you and your privacy.

View Privacy Policy

Because the YMCA is a not-for-profit organization that relies on fees and charitable contributions and is led by a volunteer board of directors, we work very hard to manage our limited resources thoughtfully and prudently. For each program series, classes are carefully planned according to the number of participants — staff/participant ratios are determined to ensure safety, program supplies are purchased and prepared, and staffing is finalized. Once a program series begins, these expenses are incurred by the organization.

Our refund and system credit policy is intended to maintain the overall fiscal health of the organization and YMCA community and is part of our efforts to be good stewards of our organization’s resources. We appreciate your understanding.

View Refund Policy

Reporting Child Abuse & Child Neglect

• Always call 9-1-1 anytime there is a present emergency.
• During business hours (Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.), call Social Services at 910-798-3420
• After business hours (5:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m.) and on the weekends/holidays, call the NHC non-emergency number: 910-452-6120

The primary goal of Child Protective Services is to protect children from further maltreatment and to support and improve parental/caregiver abilities to assure a safe and nurturing home for each child.

Anyone can make a report of child abuse and/or child neglect by calling, writing, or visiting the Child Protective Services Unit at the New Hanover County Department of Social Services. You can make a child abuse or neglect report 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• The social worker taking your report will listen to your concerns and document all the information that is given.
• You do not have to have proof that a child is being abused or neglected, just a reasonable suspicion.
• Reporters of child abuse and neglect are protected by the law.
• Social workers are unable to release the name of the reporter to anyone unless ordered by the Court.
• Although you can make a report anonymously, it is helpful to provide your name in case the social worker needs to follow up with you for additional information.

It is helpful to have the following information when making a child protective services report:

• Name, address, and age of the child/children
• Name and address of the child's parents or caretakers
• The child's condition, including any injuries or extent of the maltreatment
• Any information about weapons in the home, alcohol, or drug abuse

Even if you do not have all the above information, do not hesitate to make a report if you believe a child is being abused or neglected.

Reporting Suicidal Ideation

Call 988 right away. Crisis counselors are there 24/7 to link you with emergency services in your area. The 988 crisis centers have access to interpreters that speak over 240 languages. There is also the chat function at 988lifeline.org/chat and text.