1. sports
2. swimming

Dear Ambler Area YMCA Outdoor Pool Center Member,
Thank you for joining the Ambler Y Outdoor Pool Center! We are looking forward to a great summer of fun
in the sun. We have exciting activities planned, including a summer series of events exclusively for
Outdoor Pool Center (ODPC) members. The ODPC will open on Saturday, May 23rd at 11 a.m.
Please read this packet thoroughly, as it contains information about Outdoor Pool Center policies and
procedures, including the Guest Policy, Rules and Regulations and Swim Test procedures.
To ensure proper entry into the pool, you will need to bring your YMCA membership card. Please enter the
ODPC through the breezeway at the left end of the building. Access will not be permitted from inside the
facility. Restrooms and changing facilities (Men’s, Women’s and Family) will be available at the ODPC. All
swimmers must wear appropriate swim attire while in the pool. No street clothing will be permitted in the
pool or splash pad.
Guest Policy
The YMCA provides guest passes as a benefit to members. ODPC members are entitled to unlimited guest
passes per summer and may bring up to four guests per day. Please register your guests at the
Welcome Center in the main facility prior to entering the ODPC. Each guest must present valid photo
identification upon entry. A supervising adult must accompany all guests under the age of 18 and remain
on the premises for the duration of their visit. Guest fees are $10 per person. Children under the age of
two are free. Please refer to the Guest Policy in this packet for further information.
Outdoor Pool Center Hours
Weekends
Weekdays
Weekdays
Holidays
May 23 through September 6
May 26 through June 19
June 22 through September 4
May 25, July 4 & September 7
11 a.m.-8 p.m.
3 p.m.-8 p.m.
11 a.m.-8 p.m.
11 a.m.-8 p.m.
***Please note that guests are not permitted on holidays. Please refer to the Guest Policy in this packet for further
information.
We know that you will enjoy your summer at the Ambler Area YMCA Outdoor Pool Center! If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Aquatics Department.
Erica Pfaff
Advanced Aquatics Director
215-628-9950 ext. 1576
[email protected]
Laura McClinton
Aquatics Director
215-628-9950 ext. 1535
[email protected]
Ambler Area YMCA ● 1325 McKean Road ● Ambler, PA 19002 ● 215.628.9950 ● philaymca.org
Guest Policy
Ambler Y Outdoor Pool Center (ODPC) Members are entitled to unlimited guest
passes per membership unit during the summer.
The following guidelines will be followed:
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Guests are only permitted while accompanying an ODPC Member.
The cost for each guest is $10 per person. Children under the age of two (2) are free.
ODPC Members must be 18 years or older to bring a guest.
Children 7 years of age and younger must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or
older while at pool. Total ratio of children 7 years of age and younger to the adult may not
exceed 4:1.
ODPC Members may bring a maximum of four (4) individuals per membership unit per
day.
Guests are not permitted on Memorial Day, 4th of July or Labor Day.
Guests are not permitted to use our Kid Zone, Family Active Center or Y Zone.
All guests are required to wear a guest wristband.
All guests 12 years of age and under are required to take a swim test.
Guests can be turned away at any time due to capacity limitations.
Guest Check-in Procedure:
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Guests must be checked in at the Welcome Center in the main facility.
ODPC Member and Guest must both be present at time of check-in.
Guests over the age of 18 must provide a state issued ID (Drivers License, ID card).
Guests between the ages of 11 and 18 must provide a School ID Card.
Guest fees of $10 per person will be paid at the Welcome Center in the main facility, and
the Guest Waiver form must be completed and signed upon each visit. Receipt showing
fees paid will be taken to the ODPC check-in area for admittance to ODPC.
Any guest who leaves the ODPC and wishes to return the same day must have their hand
stamped upon exit.
For your convenience, a copy of the Guest Waiver form is included in this packet.
Ambler Area YMCA ● 1325 McKean Road ● Ambler, PA 19002 ● 215.628.9950 ● philaymca.org
Supervision, Wrist Band, Water Slide and Other Policies
The Ambler Area YMCA is committed to providing a safe aquatic environment for all participants. This requires
the cooperation of the staff and members to assure that all children are properly supervised during each visit to
the pool. The Lifeguards are responsible for scanning the pool and working to prevent aquatic
incidents from occurring. Parents are responsible for supervising their children and following the
rules established by the YMCA to maintain a safe environment.
The following supervision is required by parents:
• Children 6 years of age and younger must have an adult (18 years of age or older) in the water
at all times, no matter the child’s swimming ability. No exceptions. The supervising adult must be a
YMCA member and in appropriate swimming attire.
• Children 7-11 years of age require an adult (18 years of age or older) on deck. If the child
cannot pass the shallow water swim test, no matter his/her age, the supervising adult must be in the
water with the child.
• Ratio of a child 7 years of age and younger to an adult may not exceed 4 to 1.
• ODPC Members 12 years of age and older are permitted to use the ODPC without adult
supervision. Members and guests of any age may be swim tested at the discretion of the lifeguard.
Members under the age of 18 are NOT permitted to sign in guests.
These rules are for the safety of our swimmers and must be followed at all times.
Swim Test Policies
All children, members or guests, age 12 and under are required to be swim tested. Participants of any age
may be swim tested at the discretion of the lifeguards. Any child under the age of 12, regardless of
swimming ability, must be accompanied by an adult.
Shallow Water Swim Test (Orange Band)
Swimmer must be able to maneuver from a vertical position to a horizontal position on either their front or
back, swim 10 yards on front or back, and then return to a vertical position.
Deep Water Swim Test (Green Band)
Swimmer must be able to swim a half of a length on their front into deep water, tread for 1 minute, swim
the remainder of the length, exit the pool without assistance, and jump into the deep end. Swimmer may
not rest or stop during the test. If the participant cannot complete all aspects of the test, the test is failed.
Children who cannot pass the shallow water test will be required to wear a Personal Floatation
Device (PFD), remain in the shallow end of the pool and be supervised in water by an adult within arm’s
reach.
Children who pass the shallow water test will be required to wear an orange wrist band and stay in
the shallow end of the pool. All children under the age of 7 must be accompanied in water by an adult
within arm’s reach.
Children who pass the deep water test will be required to wear a green wrist band and are permitted
to swim anywhere in the pool.
You can help prevent child drownings by having your child wear the right Personal Floatation
Device (PFD) and teaching them to use it properly. A PFD is not a substitute for adult
supervision; NEVER leave a child unattended in or near the water.
Ambler Area YMCA ● 1325 McKean Road ● Ambler, PA 19002 ● 215.628.9950 ● philaymca.org
Water Slides
In order to ride the Red speed slide, children must be 51 inches tall and have earned a Green wristband.
In order to ride the Blue corkscrew slide, children must be 44 inches tall and have earned a Green
wristband. NO EXCEPTIONS to the height or wristband rules will be made. Riders should lay flat on their
back with legs crossed, and obey all lifeguard instructions. Violators of the slide rules may lose slide
privileges.
Schedule
Typically spray features in the Splash Pad will run continuously throughout all operating hours. The
water slides will run from 2-8 p.m. Weekdays from May 26-June 9 in which the ODPC is open from 3-8
p.m., the water slides will not run. Schedules are subject to change. Please refer to posted schedules in
the facility and online at www.philaymca.org/branches/ambler.
Other Information
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Please bring your YMCA Membership cards for entrance to the ODPC. Access is through the
breezeway to the left end of the building. There is no entrance to the ODPC from inside the main
facility.
All members should have a photo on file. Please stop by the Welcome Center inside the main
facility to have your photo(s) taken if you have not already done so.
If you wish to leave the ODPC and return the same day, please have your hand stamped upon exit.
Restrooms and Changing Rooms are available (Men’s, Women’s and Family). Please use the
appropriate-gender facilities. Children 6 years of age and younger are permitted to use the
opposite-gender restroom with a parent. Co-ed families should use the Family Changing room.
Lockers will be available in the changing rooms; please bring your own combination or keyoperated padlock for security. Small token-operated lockers for valuable items will be available at
no cost.
The shallow end of the pool ranges from zero-depth to 3 feet deep. The deep end of the pool is 4 ½
feet deep.
No rafts, inner tubes or other inflatable pool toys are permitted at the ODPC. Only U.S. Coast
Guard approved lifejackets and other floatation devices will be permitted.
Tables, chairs and shade umbrellas will be available. Chairs are first-come, first-served. Please be
courteous to other members and do not reserve chairs for individuals who have not yet arrived at
the ODPC. Members are also encouraged to bring personal coolers, beach chairs and umbrellas.
Hours of Operation
The Outdoor Pool Center will open on Saturday May 23rd from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Hours of operation for the remainder of the season will be as follows:
Weekends
May 23 through September 6
11 a.m.-8 p.m.
3 p.m.-8 p.m.
Weekdays
May 26 through June 19
Weekdays
11 a.m.-8 p.m.
June 22 through September 4
Holidays
11 a.m.-8 p.m.
May 25, July 4 & September 7
***If the day’s high temperature is not forecast to be greater than 65 degrees, the Outdoor Pool Center
will not open. We will use the weather.com forecast as our guide. Please call 215-628-9950 if you are in
doubt.
***Please note that guests are not permitted on holidays. Please refer to the Guest Policy in this packet for further
information.
Ambler Area YMCA ● 1325 McKean Road ● Ambler, PA 19002 ● 215.628.9950 ● philaymca.org
Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA
Please:
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Swim only when a lifeguard is on duty and follow all lifeguards’ directions.
Wear clean, appropriate swimwear.
Take a soap shower including hair before entering the pool.
Walk slowly at all times.
Be considerate of others.
Use appropriate language.
Use only U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejackets and swimming aids.
Clear the pool immediately when an emergency signal is given.
Follow the outlined policy of supervision of children and swim testing (see further
information in this packet).
Do not bring glass/breakable containers into the pool area and locker rooms.
Do not bring intoxicating beverages. Persons under the influence of such are not
permitted on the property.
Do not use the pool if you have any communicable disease, rashes, severe sun burn or
open sores, or go swimming when you have diarrhea.
Do not chew gum or smoke in pool area.
Do not hang on lane markers or life lines, unless an emergency exists.
Do not rough house, dunk, push or throw others.
Do not use lifejackets or floatation devices unless a parent is in the water within arms
reach.
Do not wear disposable diapers in the pool; children must have disposable swimming
diapers (“Little Swimmers” swimming diapers are recommended).
Do not dive in the pool. No dives, back dives or flips off the side of the pool are permitted.
Emergency Signals:
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2 short whistle blasts: look at lifeguard(s).
1 long whistle blast: clear the pool immediately.
Ambler Area YMCA ● 1325 McKean Road ● Ambler, PA 19002 ● 215.628.9950 ● philaymca.org
Pool Closing Procedures
Thunder/Lightning Policies & Procedures
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All indoor as well as outdoor pools must be cleared and closed during a thunderstorm.
All patrons are to leave the pool area/deck immediately.
All swimming activities are to remain suspended until thirty minutes after thunder or
lightning were last observed.
Once thirty minutes has passed and no additional thunder or lightning has been observed,
all swimming activities shall resume.
If thunderstorms are in the area at 7 p.m. the pool will be closed for the remainder of the
evening.
Fecal and Vomit Policy
It is the policy of Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCAs to clear the pool when any incident of
fecal or vomit contamination occurs. To avoid such occurrences please schedule regular
bathroom breaks for your children throughout the day. Please do not swim when you
or your children have diarrhea. Children in diapers must wear a disposable swimming
diaper or rubber pants. Changing of children’s diapers is NOT permitted on the pool deck.
Changing stations are provided in changing rooms. CHANGE DIAPERS OFTEN!
If such contamination occurs:
• All swimmers will be required to exit the pool and the pool will be closed.
• Water chemistry will be tested by lifeguards and fecal matter/vomit will be removed.
• Members will be allowed to re-enter the pools 30 minutes after its removal when the
chlorine is at proper levels.
If the feces is liquid and particulate, or lifeguards are informed that the person who had the
fecal accident has had diarrhea in the last two weeks, then the lifeguards will initiate the
following procedure:
• All swimmers will be required to exit the pool and pool deck and the pool will be closed.
• Pool must be closed for a minimum of 12 hours.
Blood Policy
Coming in contact with blood in pool water is unlikely to spread illness. Germs found in blood,
such as the Hepatitis B virus or HIV, do not survive long when diluted into properly chlorinated
water. Closing the pool for small amounts of blood is not necessary. If it is a large amount the
pools will be evacuated and procedures for fecal matter will be followed.
Ambler Area YMCA ● 1325 McKean Road ● Ambler, PA 19002 ● 215.628.9950 ● philaymca.org
Code of Conduct
The Ambler Area YMCA is committed to promoting and providing a safe and healthy environment
for all pool staff, members and their guests. In order to assure safety and comfort for all, staff,
pool members and their guests are expected to act appropriately at all times.
While at the outdoor pool, individuals are expected to act maturely, behave responsibly and
respect the rights and dignity of others through Healthy Living, Social Responsibility and Youth
Development. The Ambler Area YMCA Code of Conduct is not limited to the rules of the pool. The
Code of Conduct includes any other inappropriate behavior including but not limited to:
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Hazing, bullying, harassment or intimidation by words, gestures, body language or any
other type of menacing behavior
Verbally abusive behavior, including angry or vulgar language, swearing, shouting or
name-calling
Physical contact with another person in an angry, aggressive or threatening way
Theft or behavior that results in the destruction or loss of property
Inappropriate use of cameras, including cell phone cameras, while on pool property (i.e.
camera use is prohibited in Changing Rooms)
Smoking – the Ambler Area YMCA is a smoke-free facility
The use of squirt guns, overactive ball throwing and any other rough housing
Members and guests are encouraged to take responsibility for their personal comfort and safety
by asking any person whose behavior threatens their comfort to refrain from such behavior.
However, depending on the nature of the offending behavior, a member can report any
problems to the manager on duty. Pool members should not hesitate to notify a staff member
should a problem arise.
The Aquatics Director shall investigate all reported incidents of inappropriate behavior.
Depending on the severity of the violation, the Aquatics Director shall enforce a sanction ranging
from time spent out of the pool, to sending the offending individual home for the day, to the
revocation of the individual’s membership.
The YMCA’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build
healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Ambler Area YMCA ● 1325 McKean Road ● Ambler, PA 19002 ● 215.628.9950 ● philaymca.org