Pickup Cards 
To ensure the safety of all participants, parents will receive pickup cards. Please clearly print your child’s first and last name on the card and display it on the car windshield at pickup time. If you need additional cards for sitters, grandparents, etc., please ask at the program office. If a questionable situation arises, staff will hold the child until a parent has been contacted. A physical photo ID may be requested for identification.

Pickup Procedures
At pickup time, children will only be released to parents, legal guardians and those designated as emergency contacts with pickup on your child’s account.

Anyone picking up a child must present:

• A YMCA pickup card or
• A physical photo ID that matches a name on the child's authorized pick-up list. Photos of IDs will not be accepted.

Authorized Pickup List
Parents can check their child's authorized pickup list at any time by logging into their YMCA account and updating their child's Emergency Contacts. Make sure you select "Can Pick Up."

One-time Pickup Requests
If someone who is not on the authorized pickup list needs to pick up your child on a specific day, parents must:

• Send written permission via email to the site Youth Director, or text the site phone number.
• Include the full name of the person picking up
• Ensure that the person brings a physical photo ID that matches the name on the child's authorized pick-up list. Photos of IDs will not be accepted.

Off Times
Parents who drop off or pick up children outside of scheduled times must call the number on the outside sign. A staff member will greet you outside and assist you in signing your child out.

Weather
Severe weather may affect the pickup process. In cases of driving rain and/or lightning, staff will keep children sheltered until conditions improve. This may slow down the pickup process, requiring drivers to wait. The safety of YMCA children and staff is our first priority.

The YMCA/our staff or volunteers do not buckle children of any age into their car seats or fasten seat belts, even when requested by parents. We make every effort to be efficient in the line. We provide parking spaces or space for a parent to pull up to secure their own child.

Late Fee
A late fee is charged for children picked up after the last pickup time. The late fee is $5 for the first 10 minutes past pickup time and $1 for each additional minute thereafter. Two staff members will remain with the child until a parent arrives.

When to Stay Home
Please do not send your child to YMCA programs with any of the following symptoms:
•    Sore throat
•    Excessive coughing
•    Diarrhea or vomiting
•    Fever
•    Head lice
•    Undiagnosed rash, sore, or other skin condition
•    Any other contagious disease or symptom

A child must be diarrhea, vomiting and fever-free for a full 24 hours before returning to the program. A physician’s note may be required before re-admitting a child to the program.

Medicine
Please do not pack medication with your child’s belongings. Parents (not the child) must bring necessary medications to the program office. Medications must be in their original containers with written instructions for dispensing. A Medication Distribution Form must be provided for staff to dispense all over-the-counter medications, including topical ointments, teething gel, diapering creams, lotions, sprays, creams, and powders.

Generally, children are prohibited from carrying medication, unless the medication is dispensed on their person (such as an insulin pump) or a doctor has specifically indicated in writing that the child may self-administer and safety precautions are met for the safe handling of the medication. If a doctor has given this written permission, a copy must be provided to the YMCA. A parent or guardian must give the medication to the program staff.

For safety reasons, all medications are stored and locked in the program office.

You can find a packing list for Day Camp and Track Out Camp, information about packing lunches and snacks and clothing and footwear recommendations here. 

Before and After School participants can pack a snack. In some cases Before School participants may be able to eat a school-provided breakfast in the cafeteria. 

The YMCA prides itself on hiring quality staff who embody our Mission and have a passion for being a positive role model for children. Many of our counselors are high school and college students. Staff members are selected through a comprehensive application and interview process, and often have previous experience in other YMCA programs.

Each staff member completes a minimum of 30 hours of staff training that emphasizes the importance of safety, child development and fun. The YMCA strives to maintain a 1:10 ratio for youth camp programs.

We want you, as a parent or guardian, to know about staff behaviors that we consider appropriate, such as air high fives, praise and program-related discussions.

Examples of inappropriate behavior include lap sitting, full front hugs, rough play, profanity, harassment, overly personal discussions and receiving personal gifts from counselors.

Please read our full policies below.

Outside Contact Policy

Babysitting Policy
 

The goal of the YMCA of the Triangle is to meaningfully include all youth and provide accommodations in our programs when needed. To help us achieve this goal, we respectfully ask parents or guardians to inform the YMCA, prior to the start of the program, of any special circumstances that may affect your child’s ability to participate. By providing information about your child's strengths and needs, the staff can prepare accommodations that better serve all children in our programs.

Upon being informed of such circumstances, the Program Director or another staff member may request a meeting to gather more information and discuss accommodations that can be implemented to successfully include your child.

If you have serious concerns about any YMCA youth program, please contact our confidential reporting system.

Please alert the YMCA program office of child custody arrangements. It is imperative that official, current court documents are maintained in your child’s file if custody or visitation is a concern. Without court orders, we cannot withhold a child from his/her parent. Based on the information that you share with your director, he/she will tell you if additional documentation is required. If additional information is required, you may send it to [email protected].

The parent(s) who register the child for the program are responsible for payments. We cannot subdivide fees.

If parents are separated or divorced with joint custody, both parents must provide written consent for all names on the Emergency Contacts & Authorized Pick-ups list.

You can see our complete ADA policy here. 

The YMCA promotes behavior guidance and discipline through creating a positive environment, developing structure and clear limits, promoting social and emotional learning, reinforcing our core values and addressing challenging behaviors.

Please read our full and complete Youth Code of Conduct.