Dear members and guests,
At the Y, safety is a shared responsibility – and when we work together, we help create a caring, welcoming environment for all. As part of our commitment to youth safety and in alignment with national YMCA best practices, we want to share an important update to our age guidelines beginning in the new year.
Beginning in January, all children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult when visiting our facilities, unless they are participating in a staff-supervised YMCA program.
Certain areas of our Y will remain available to children between the ages of 8 and 11 during designated times:
- The HUB community room at the Bath Y will be available to youth ages 8 and up from 4-5pm on weekdays and from 5-7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays provided a parent/guardian is present in the building.
- Children ages 10-11 may use the gymnasium provided a parent/guardian is present in the building.
- Children age 11 can access both areas without a parent/guardian on the premises during Teen Time (weekdays 2-5pm).
Our commitment to youth safety is foundational to everything we do. Through our accreditation with Praesidium, a national leader in abuse prevention and youth protection, ongoing staff training, and collaboration with more than 2,600 YMCA associations nationwide, we continually evaluate and strengthen our practices to ensure children are supported, supervised, and safe.
We understand that this change may require some families to adjust routines or expectations when visiting the Y. Please know this decision was made thoughtfully, with the safety and well-being of all youth at the forefront. As a family-serving organization, we remain deeply committed to creating a positive, inclusive experience, and we will continue to listen, learn, and improve how we support families in our community.
If you have questions or would like to talk more about these guidelines, please contact Chief Operating Officer Will Gunther at will@bathymca.org.
Thank you for partnering with us to ensure the Y remains a safe, supportive place for children, families, and members of all ages.
– The Bath Area Family YMCA Team