YMCA of Greater Brandywine is offering free outdoor pool memberships to current members or anyone who joins before this Friday, March 31.

Outdoor pools are available at the Brandywine YMCA in Coatesville, Jennersville YMCA in West Grove, West Chester Area YMCA in West Chester, and the Upper Main Line YMCA in Berwyn.

Pools will be open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  Members can also treat themselves to a 50 Meter Outdoor Pool for lap swimming at the Upper Main Line YMCA. This athletic pool has an extended season.

“We’re thrilled to be able make these changes to our membership offerings to ensure that the community has access to quality and safe pools and to thank our members for choosing the YGBW,” said Kim Cavallero, Vice President of Membership for the YGBW.

Those who want to join YGBW after the March 31 and use the outdoor pool, will have to pay a separate outdoor pool fee, in addition to their membership. 

More information is available on YMCA Greater Brandywine’s website.

A Commitment to Safety 

All YGBW facilities are Ellis-Certified, the gold standard of lifeguard training programs.

“Pools, in general, come with high risks and we take that responsibility incredibly seriously,” shared Terri Edgar, Vice President of Operations.

“We conduct regular audits of our facilities, scale usage based on pool size and necessary staffing ratios and routinely monitor for water quality. Additionally, our pools are staffed by lifeguards at all times when they are open.”

Like many organizations, YGBW has faced tremendous challenges in recruiting lifeguards in order to staff its many indoor and outdoor pools.

“We are not willing to compromise on safety and have worked very hard to not raise member rates, even more so now, given the financial pressures many are facing due to inflation,” shares Jim Paro, Chief Strategy Officer.

Paro shares that the YMCA has had to make some difficult decisions. Lionville Community YMCA has had to recently announce the closure of the outdoor pool. The Kennett Area YMCA has also had to discontinue outdoor pool memberships.

YGBW is encouraging regional use of outdoor pools – and is ensuring that the organization uses the available resources to safely operate each pool in the region.

Continued Staffing Challenges 

Nationwide, YMCAs are struggling with staffing challenges – most heavily impacting lifeguard and childcare positions. While the positions can be demanding and require ongoing training, the rewards, and job satisfaction are well worth the effort.

These staffing shortages began long before the pandemic, but the current hiring climate has pushed the storages into crisis.

Benefits Beyond a Career  

The YMCA is actively seeking interested candidates for lifeguard, childcare and summer camp positions, as well as other opportunities. The positions offer flexibility and an opportunity to make a significant contribution for individuals of all ages and experience.

YGBW has expanded employee benefits in 2023 to include:  

• A sign-on bonus of up to $5,000 for qualified childcare positions through March 31, 2023  
• Free Ellis Lifeguard Certification for qualified lifeguard candidates  
• Free YGBW Family Membership that includes access to outdoor pools for both part-time and full-time employees  
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $1,500 per year for employees who work more than 20 hours per week  
• Numerous training and development opportunities 

Staff with children are qualified to receive additional savings on summer camp, childcare and program enrollments. Employees also qualify for up to four hours of free childcare daily while they work.

More information on Lifeguard positions, and other opportunities to join the YMCA staff team is on YMCA of Greater Brandywine’s website.

Take a tour of YMCA of Greater Brandywine today.