Feature Article - June 2009

YMCAs, YWCAs, JCCs and BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS

A Look at Trends in YMCAs, YWCAs, JCCs and Boys & Girls Clubs

When it comes to the features included in their facilities, YMCAs have a lot to offer. More than three-quarters of YMCA respondents said they currently include locker rooms (85.8 percent), fitness centers (84 percent), exercise studios (82.1 percent) and indoor sports courts (76.4 percent). More than two-thirds also indicated they feature an indoor aquatic facility (72.6 percent), classrooms and meeting rooms (69.8 percent) and playgrounds (67 percent).

When it comes to their facility plans, YMCAs are more likely than most respondents to be planning to add more amenities. More than 10 percent of YMCAs are planning to add splash play areas, bleachers and seating, playgrounds, fitness centers and exercise studios in the next three years. Other common additions planned include indoor running tracks, locker rooms, waterparks, climbing walls, indoor aquatic facilities, and indoor sports courts.

Certifying Expertise

Respondents from YMCAs were the most likely to require some of their staff members to earn some type of certification. In fact, 100 percent of YMCA respondents said they require certification. The most common types required include:

CPR/AED/First Aid certification (required by 97.1 percent of YMCA respondents, compared to 84.3 percent of all respondents)
Background check (97.1 percent versus 77 percent)
Lifeguard certification (89.5 percent versus 57.6 percent)
Personal training or fitness certification (72.4 percent versus 26.9 percent)
Aquatic management or pool operations certification (61.9 percent versus 34.4 percent)
Childcare or early childhood education certification (54.3 percent versus 11.4 percent)