The rules of the deck

General rules

• Everyone, children included, and all guests use the pools and facilities at their own risk.
• The club is not responsible for loss of or damage to personal property.
• Members (children included) and guests are responsible for knowing and following the Rules and Policies.
• Drive slowly on the driveway, especially around the curve, and watch for children.
• Park in the designated areas without blocking other cars. If you have an oversize vehicle or a truck, be mindful of how much room you leave for others.
• Handicapped parking is reserved for members and guests with handicapped license plates or parking decals.
• Members are responsible for any children they bring. If a child does not follow the Rules and Policies, both the member and the child may be asked to leave, and repeated failure may result in suspension or termination of membership.
• Members are responsible for any guests they bring, on the same terms: the member and the guest may be asked to leave, and repeated failure may result in suspension or termination of membership.
• Members or guests who smoke should keep the safety and comfort of others in mind: choose an appropriate area, dispose of smoking debris responsibly, and do not smoke in any enclosed area.
• Please refrain from foul language.
• Alcoholic beverages are permitted in the picnic area, with no glass containers. The club expects responsible behavior. Anyone who does not behave responsibly will be asked to leave by the Manager, and repeat issues may result in suspension or termination of membership.
• Members maintain the club. When you finish eating, look around your area and remove all trash, even if it is not yours.
• No loitering or playing in the restrooms or the entry breezeway.
• The Board of Directors may change the Rules and Policies at any time.

Hours and inclement weather

• The club is open seasonally, Memorial Day to Labor Day, from noon into the evening. The daily hours are posted on the club calendar, and special events may run later.
• Any change to the usual hours is posted on the bulletin board, on the club's Facebook group and on the club website.
• An announcement is made 15 minutes before normal closing. Everyone begins packing up then and is out by the posted closing time.
• The pool manager may close a pool for maintenance, health conditions, weather, preparation for splash parties, or any reason the manager or a Board member considers sufficient.
• If thunder or lightning is heard or seen, the pools and deck areas are cleared until 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning.
• If you are unsure whether the club will open, at the start of the day or after an earlier closing, check the club's Facebook group or website for weather closures.
• The phone, (610) 696-4390, is answered only during summer hours. Please do not leave a voicemail; out of season, write to wedgewoodbod@gmail.com.

Entrance and admission

• No one experiencing illness may enter.
• Members upload a current picture of every family member, children included, to the online member account through the Member Login. Review the account before opening day. Anyone without a photo on the account is not admitted until a current one is uploaded. Membership details are on the membership page.
• All members and guests enter at the Front Desk check in. No one may enter through the gate by the picnic grove. Anyone using an unauthorized entrance may be asked to leave, and repeat issues may result in suspension or termination of membership.
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by a member over 16, or by a nanny or babysitter registered to the member account. A member may add a nanny or babysitter to the account for an additional fee, with a photo of that person uploaded to the account.

Pool safety

All pools

• Children under 12 may not be alone in water over their heads until they have passed a deep water test given by the pool manager or a lifeguard. Tests are available on request and scheduled as availability allows. The Lower Pool, the lap pool, may be used only by people who have passed the deep water test.
• No diving in the upper pool except in the diving well by the diving board. Observe the safety signs in the lower pool.
• Anyone using the slide goes feet first and sitting.
• Behave responsibly and think about the safety and comfort of others: no running, sliding, dunking, pushing or rough housing. Be considerate of others at the basketball hoops. Listen to the lifeguards and follow their directions.
• Any child using a flotation device (water wings, tubes, life jackets and the like) must be accompanied by an adult, in the water or along the pool deck near the child.

Baby Pool

• The Baby Pool is for young pre-swimming children, up to 6 years old. A parent or adult should accompany any child in it.
• Please remind swimming-age children that the Baby Pool is a safe space for building water confidence. Lifeguards may ask a child who is not using it appropriately to move to another area.
• Children who are not yet toilet trained wear a swim diaper in the Baby Pool.

Food and beverage

• Food and beverages other than water are enjoyed in the picnic area. Water is fine anywhere in the club. Wedgewood is member owned and member operated, so everyone helps keep the picnic area tidy: pick up the trash around you, even if it is not yours.
• Members are responsible for safe use of the grills. Any open flame must be supervised by an adult.
• Glass containers are not allowed.
• Ice cream is sold at 3:00 PM in the pavilion, with the profits supporting the Swim Team. Correct change or small bills are always appreciated.

Guests

• Members 18 and older may invite guests. The inviting member must be present and responsible for the guest throughout the visit. Guests may not be left unattended and must leave when the inviting member leaves.
• The pool manager may decline to admit any guest at any time, and is responsible for limiting guest admission to keep the club at an appropriate capacity.
• Guest fees are $8 in season and $6 if purchased in the offseason. No guest fee is collected for grandparents. Guest passes are non-transferable and non-refundable, and they carry over from year to year; they do not expire.
• A member may invite a maximum of six guests per day. More than six guests in a day is a party (see Parties below).
• Guests are limited to ten visits per season.
• The inviting member registers the guests at the Front Desk when they arrive. Guests receive a wristband and wear it during the visit.

Parties

• Members over 18 may ask to host a party. A party is a gathering of more than six non-member guests. Parties may be scheduled Monday to Saturday, with prior permission and approval from the Club Manager.
• Parties are not permitted on Sundays, holidays or during scheduled events, which are high traffic times. Approval of a party date is always at the Manager's discretion.
• Party guests are $10 each. Current members are not counted toward the cost.
• Before the season, email your request to wedgewoodbod@gmail.com at least two days before the date you want. During the season, ask the manager on duty. Include the requested date and the number of adult and child guests you expect. Parties are limited to a maximum of 25 people.
• The Manager responds as soon as possible. Your request is not confirmed until you receive an approval email from the Manager.
• Give the front gate guard and the club manager a final guest list as soon as possible and no later than one hour before the party starts. Pay for party guests at the front gate when you submit it. This speeds check in for staff and guests. Refunds are not offered.
• An approved party comes with no supplies, no reserved seating or Pavilion, and no staff assistance. The hosting member reserves the space, sets up and cleans up. The Pavilion cannot be reserved for parties.
• The party must be over, and your guests out of the club, at least 30 minutes before closing time.
• The hosting member is responsible for supervising guest children at all times and should have an appropriate adult-to-child ratio for the party.

Enforcement

• The Rules and Policies are created by the membership to promote safe enjoyment for all members, and members are responsible for knowing and following them.
• Members are responsible for passing the Rules and Policies on to their children and guests, and are expected to require them to follow the rules.
• Lifeguards are posted at stations around the pool for the safety of all swimmers, and their direction must be followed at all times. Questions or comments about a lifeguard's direction go to the manager on duty. Lifeguards may not engage in discussion, because it could take their attention off the water.
• Lifeguards may remove anyone from the pool at any time for any reason.
• If a lifeguard sees objectionable or unsafe behavior, the lifeguard may “bench” a swimmer, who must report immediately to a bench next to the pool as directed. An initial benching is expected to last 20 minutes. Later benchings last longer, at the discretion of the lifeguard or manager.
• Repeat offenders and their families receive a warning that suspension or revocation of membership privileges will follow if the situation is not remedied. Suspension or revocation is at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
• Anything not covered by the Rules and Policies is at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Where the rules come from

The Board of Directors puts these Rules and Policies in place under the Wedgewood By-Laws. If you disagree with how a staff member has read a rule, take it up with the manager on duty. For how to join, see membership.