I agree to cooperate with others in supporting the YMCA missions, goals, and objectives and to abide by the policies and procedures set forth by the McGaw YMCA Board of Directors.

MEMBER/PROGRAM PARTICIPANT RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT: IN CONSIDERATION FOR MEMBERSHIP, PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES of the MCGAW YMCA (“YMCA”) for any purpose, including, but not limited to observation or use of facilities or equipment, or participation in any off-site program affiliated with the YMCA, , I, on behalf of myself, and on behalf of those on my membership under the age of 18, and any personal representatives, heirs, and next of kin, , hereby acknowledge, agree, and represent that I, have, or immediately upon entering or participating will, inspect and carefully consider such premises and facilities or the affiliated program. It is further warranted that such entry into the YMCA for observation or use of any facilities or equipment or participation in such affiliated program constitutes an acknowledgement that such premises and all facilities and equipment thereon and such affiliated program have been inspected and carefully considered and that I find and accept same as being safe and reasonably suited for the purpose of such observation, use or participation.

I understand that in accordance with the YMCA’s compliance with child safety best practices, everyone who enters the YMCA premises (age 18 and older) will be checked against the National Sex Offender Database using their name and date of birth, as it is provided on their state issued ID. I consent to such screening and understand that if a sex offender match is found, the YMCA reserves the right to cancel membership, end program participation, and revoke visitation access. Additionally, convicted sex offenders will not be permitted to live in the McGaw YMCA Residence.

Release from Liability: I agree that my consent is irrevocable. I hereby release and discharge the YMCA, their related parties, and those they have given permission to use the above, from any and all claims, actions, lawsuits or demands of any kind arising out of my consent, the use, or the shared use of the above materials.

By participating in the YMCA Nationwide Membership Program, I agree to release the National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States of America (YMCA of the USA), and its independent and autonomous member associations in the United States and Puerto Rico, from claims of negligence for bodily injury or death in connection with the use of YMCA facilities, and from any liability for other claims, including loss of property, to the fullest extent of the law.

Acknowledgment of Risk: I acknowledge the inherent risks associated with YMCA participation, including but not limited to slips, trips, falls, aquatic injuries, and athletic injuries. I understand that this list is not inclusive of all possible risks and that participation in YMCA activities comes with inherent risks.

Fitness Equipment Use: I acknowledge that, as a member of the YMCA, I, and on behalf of those on my membership ages 14 and older, can be provided with a free orientation on the proper use of Fitness Center equipment. I understand that if we do not schedule an appointment for this, we are voluntarily waiving the orientation. I understand that improper use of equipment can result in a variety of injuries. I acknowledge that youth listed on my membership who are between the ages of 11-13 years old are required to complete a Youth Orientation and must have a Supervising Individual (ages 18+) present in order to use the Fitness Center equipment.

Photo/Video/Audio Release: For my participation in activities to be conducted by the McGaw YMCA and/or YMCA of the USA (collectively “the Y”), and collaborating third parties, on behalf of myself, and on behalf of those on my membership under the age of 18, I consent, now and for all time, to the making, reproduction, editing, broadcasting, or rebroadcasting of video film or footage of me, soundtrack recordings of me, photo reproductions of me, and any narrative account of my experience.  If I choose not to be photographed, videotaped, or on other recorded media, or make that choice on behalf of those included on my membership, it is my responsibility to inform the photographer and/or remove myself from the picture.

My consent includes a perpetual license to the Y and collaborating third parties for the use of the materials for publication, display, sale or exhibition in promotions, advertising, education, and commercial uses. Use includes reproductions in any form and media currently existing or later conceived, adaptations and/or revisions, throughout the world in perpetuity.

I agree that my consent is irrevocable. I hereby release and discharge the Y and collaborating third parties, from all claims, actions, lawsuits or demands of any kind arising out of my consent, license grants, uses, or the shared uses of any works or materials referenced herein. No compensation will be provided, and I will not make any claim for payment on behalf of myself or others included on my membership. While we may be identified visually in media, our names will not be used to endorse any specific products or services.

I understand that while this general release applies to myself and those under 18 included in my membership, a separate program-specific media release is required for minors during registration for each YMCA program. Parents/guardians are responsible for coordinating with each program area to ensure the proper consent is on file.

In further, consideration of being permitted to enter the YMCA for any purpose for any purpose including, but not limited to observation or use of facilities or equipment, or participation in any off-site program affiliated with the YMCA, I agree to the following:

1. ON MY OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF THOSE ON MY MEMBERSHIP UNDER THE AGE OF 18, I HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE AND CONVENANT NOT TO SUE the YMCA and all branches thereof, its directors, officers, employees, and agents (hereinafter referred to as “releasees”) from all liability, to which I, my personal representatives, assigns, heirs, and next of kin for any loss or damage, and any claim or demands therefore on account of injury to the person or property or resulting in death to myself or those on my membership, whether caused by the negligence of the releasees or otherwise while we are in, upon, or about the premises or any facilities or equipment therein or participating in any program affiliated with the YMCA.
2. I HEREBY AGREE TO INDEMNIFY AND SAVE AND HOLD HARMLESS the releasees and each of them from any loss, liability, damage, or cost they may incur due to to the presence of myself or those on my membership in, upon, or about the YMCA premises or in any way observing or using any facilities or equipment of the YMCA or participating in any program affiliated with the YMCA whether caused by the negligence of the releasees or otherwise.
3. I HEREBY ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILTIY FOR AND RISK OF BODILY INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE to myself or those on my membership, due to negligence of releasees or otherwise while in, about, or upon the premises of the YMCA and/or while using the premises or any facilities or equipment thereon or participating in any program affiliated with the YMCA. I represent that I have adequate insurance to cover any injury or illness I or those on my membership may suffer or cause while participating in this activity, or else I agree to bear the costs of such injury or illness myself. I further represent that I or those on my membership have no medical or physical condition which could interfere with our safety in this activity, or else I am willing to assume – and bear the costs of – all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition.

I further expressly agree that the foregoing RELEASE WAIVER AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the law of the State of Illinois and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. In the event that I file a lawsuit, I agree to do so in the state where McGaw YMCA is located, and I further agree that the substantive law of that state shall apply. I agree that if any portion of this agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.

By clicking “I agree” to this YMCA waiver and clicking submit, I acknowledge that I have read and voluntarily agree to the Release and Waiver of Liability and Indemnity Agreement, and I further agree that no oral representations, statements, or inducement apart from the foregoing written agreement have been made. If I have signed a separate general waiver of liability connected to my participation at the YMCA, I agree that the terms of that waiver are wholly incorporated into this release and that the terms of this release are incorporated into the separate general waiver.

Effective 5/13/2025