COVID Protocols for Practices

Based on national, state, and local guidelines concerning COVID-19, the Y is prepared for small groups of gymnasts to return to gymnastics safely. Our goal is to gain the physical and mental benefits of gymnastics while maintaining a safe workout environment for our staff and gymnasts. Gymnasts and their well being are of utmost importance. We are excited to welcome those that are ready to return back to the Y. The Y has done an amazing job in this era of COVID, we welcome you to stop by the Welcome Center for a tour to see the changes first-hand.

We will employ the following steps to protect our gymnasts and their families, as well as our staff and their families.

Illness

Gymnasts and their families must be symptom-free. Gymnasts must not have a runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea to attend class. Gymnasts should not attend practice if they or their immediate family are experiencing any symptoms of illness.

COVID Protocols

The following protocols will be put in place for practices:

We will be limiting the number of gymnasts at each practice to eight to allow for social distancing.
Gymnasts must wash their hands prior to coming to the Y.
Gymnast must be dressed for practice prior to coming to the Y.
Gymnasts must bring a water bottle. Water fountains are for filling water bottles only.
Gymnasts should not come to practice planning to eat at the Y. There will not be snack time during practice at this time.
Staff will be required to have their temperature taken and wear a mask when social distancing is not possible.
Gymnasts will need to wear a mask in the Y while en route to the gymnsatics center. Once in the center gymnasts are permitted to remove their mask. Please bring your own mask.
Gymnasts will sanitize their hands and feet after each apparatus.
All returning Y staff have been through Y-USA COVID-19 Safety Training.
The Y has a dedicated cleaning specialist who will clean the gymnastics center after each class with approved disinfectants and cleaning supplies.

Before You Come to the Y/Registering Your Gymnast for Practice

Gymnasts must have an active YMCA membership to attend practice. This may be either a youth or family membership. Please contact the Welcome Center for membership assistance.
In order to maintain appropriate social distancing, we are limiting the number of gymnasts at practice to eight. Gymnasts are required to register for practices. This can be done by creating an online account at https://your-y.org/ or by visiting either the Hope Street or Main Street Welcome Center.
Once an online account has been established, you can make a reservation at
https://your-y.org/member-link/#/classes/.
Both parents and minors entering the Y must sign a COVID waiver. Waivers are available online at https://your-y.org/reopening/ or at the Welcome Center.
Please fill out a USAG Readiness form for your gymnast. This will help us work with your gymnast in the safest way possible to re-acclimate them to practices.

Entering the Y

Gymnasts will use the Hope Street Entrance (back door). Please wait in your car until 5 minutes before class, and then line up outside maintaining social distance guidelines. Dave will lead the gymnasts up to the gymnastics center via the back staircase. Gymnasts will need to wear a mask for the transport up to the center.

Observing Practice

One parent per family is welcome to watch from the mezzanine while practicing social distancing. Please note that siblings/children who are not in the gymnastics class are not permitted in the Y at this time. (It is also a great time to work out and try the brand-new state-of-the-art fitness machines, expanded weight room, and coming mid-August, the brand-new Training Zone!)

What to Expect at Practice

We’ll be taking it slow – an accelerated return puts gymnasts at a higher risk for injury. Practices will focus on conditioning to gain back strength and flexibility, stretching and balance, re-acclimating to the gym, reacquiring skills that have not been used, injury prevention, and of course, lots of fun and games! Initial practices will be 60 minutes and gradually increase as gymnast stamina develops.

Coaches will practice appropriate social distancing while coaching and implement as much hands-free instruction as possible. However, athlete safety is paramount, and coaches should not be restricted from spotting an athlete if necessary to protect the gymnast from injury.

We encourage you to review the Mental Readiness handout with your gymnast as well. Just like each athlete’s physical training was different during the closure, each athlete will return to the gym with unique mental health perspectives. Our coaches will strive to honor each athlete’s experience and navigate their return to the gym from both a physical and mental health perspective.

Practice Days/Time

For the month of August, practices will be held:

Wednesdays from 5:30 - 6:30 for Levels XB, 1, 2, and 3
Thursdays from 5:30 - 6:30 for Levels 4+, XS, XG, XD

Cost will be $5 per practice, payable online when you register or at the Welcome Center. Days/times will be evaluated based on need and adjusted as necessary. August 5th and 6th will be free.

Questions?

Please contact Dave Garappolo at dgarappolo@your-y.org or 413-773-3646 x436.

We look forward to seeing our Tumbling Tigers families soon!

COVID Protocols for Practices

We will employ the following steps to protect our gymnasts and their families, as well as our staff and their families.

​

Illness

Gymnasts and their families must be symptom-free. Gymnasts must not have a runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea to attend class. Gymnasts should not attend practice if they or their immediate family are experiencing any symptoms of illness.

​

COVID Protocols

The following protocols will be put in place for practices:

We will be limiting the number of gymnasts at each practice to eight to allow for social distancing.

Gymnasts must wash their hands prior to coming to the Y.

Gymnast must be dressed for practice prior to coming to the Y.

Gymnasts must bring a water bottle. Water fountains are for filling water bottles only.

Gymnasts should not come to practice planning to eat at the Y. There will not be snack time during practice at this time.

Staff will be required to have their temperature taken and wear a mask when social distancing is not possible.

Gymnasts will need to wear a mask in the Y while en route to the gymnsatics center. Once in the center gymnasts are permitted to remove their mask. Please bring your own mask.

Gymnasts will sanitize their hands and feet after each apparatus.

All returning Y staff have been through Y-USA COVID-19 Safety Training.

The Y has a dedicated cleaning specialist who will clean the gymnastics center after each class with approved disinfectants and cleaning supplies.

​

Before You Come to the Y/Registering Your Gymnast for Practice

Gymnasts must have an active YMCA membership to attend practice. This may be either a youth or family membership. Please contact the Welcome Center for membership assistance.

Both parents and minors entering the Y must sign a COVID waiver. Waivers are available online at https://your-y.org/reopening/ or at the Welcome Center.

Please fill out a USAG Readiness form for your gymnast. This will help us work with your gymnast in the safest way possible to re-acclimate them to practices.

Entering the Y

​

Observing Practice

​

What to Expect at Practice

​

Coaches will practice appropriate social distancing while coaching and implement as much hands-free instruction as possible. However, athlete safety is paramount, and coaches should not be restricted from spotting an athlete if necessary to protect the gymnast from injury.

​

​

Practice Days/Time

For the month of August, practices will be held:

Wednesdays from 5:30 - 6:30 for Levels XB, 1, 2, and 3

Thursdays from 5:30 - 6:30 for Levels 4+, XS, XG, XD

​

Cost will be $5 per practice, payable online when you register or at the Welcome Center. Days/times will be evaluated based on need and adjusted as necessary. August 5th and 6th will be free.

Questions?

Please contact Dave Garappolo at dgarappolo@your-y.org or 413-773-3646 x436.

​

We look forward to seeing our Tumbling Tigers families soon!

​