CRA FACILITY POLICIES

June 2023 

Code of Conduct 

Charles River Aquatics 

The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to provide the guidelines necessary to create an  educational, supportive, and safe environment for all Charles River Aquatics (CRA) patrons  including coaches, parents/guardians, athletes, participants, officials and any other attendees  at Albany Road-Wellesley (d.b.a. Boston Sports Institute (BSI)).  

Youth athletic/sports programs play an important role in promoting the physical, social and  emotional development of children and young adults. It is therefore essential for  parents/guardians, coaches and officials to encourage youth athletes to embrace the values of  good sportsmanship. Moreover, adults involved in youth sporting events should be models of  good sportsmanship and should lead by example, demonstrating fairness, respect, and self control.  

CRA offers a safe and supportive environment to patrons of all ages and ability levels. In  addition to ensuring a healthy environment for young athletes, it is essential that all individuals  learning to swim, including adults, have a safe, comfortable place in which to do so.  

Any, coach, parent/guardian, athlete, participant, official or other attendee found in violation of  this Code of Conduct is subject to immediate removal from the facility and may be subject to  temporary or permanent debarment.  

CRA adheres to the policies of inclusion and safety as specified in USA Swimming guidelines,  www.usaswimming.org. 

Coaches, parents/guardians, and other responsible adults are expected to review this Code of  Conduct, and adhere to it. Prior to use of the pools at Albany Road-Wellesley, coaches,  parents/guardians, and other responsible adults are expected to share the contents of this  Code with their athletes, students, campers, and clients and support adherence.  

Expectations of Conduct: 

∙ I will review and adhere to the rules and Code of Conduct of USA Swimming.  www.usaswimming.org I will encourage minors in my care and all others to abide by this  Code.

∙ I will not engage in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent/guardian, athlete,  participant, official or any other attendee and I will encourage minors in my care and all  others to demonstrate good sportsmanship. 

∙ I will not engage in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety or well-being  of any coach, parent/guardian, athlete, participant, official, CRA staff member or any  other attendee and I will encourage minors in my care and all others to behave in this  manner. 

∙ I will not use drugs, alcohol or marijuana at Albany Road-Wellesley and I will not permit  any minor in my care to use. I, and minors in my care, will not attend, coach, officiate or  participate in any activities at Albany Road-Wellesley while under the influence of drugs,  alcohol, or marijuana. I will discourage use among other attendees.  

∙ I will not use any tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems (also  known as e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-hookahs, and e-pipes) at Albany Road-Wellesley and I  will not permit any minor in my care to use. I will discourage use among other  attendees.  

∙ I will not engage in profane, abusive, violent or threatening language or behavior and I  will not tolerate any such language or behavior from minors in my care, or from any  others. 

∙ I will treat all coaches, parents/guardians, athletes, participants, officials, CRA staff  members and all other attendees with respect regardless of race, creed, color, national  origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or ability. I will encourage this  same respect in minors in my care and in all others. 

∙ I will not damage any property or equipment at Albany Road-Wellesley, I will remove all  of my belongings upon departure, and I will properly dispose of trash. I will ensure this  same respect from minors in my care and expect it from all others. 

  

∙ I will be respectful of all other patrons and of CRA staff members at Albany Road Wellesley while attending programming in the natatorium. My behavior will not  interrupt quiet enjoyment. I will expect the same respect from minors in my care and  from all others.

Charles River Aquatics at Albany Road-Wellesley, d.b.a. Boston Sports Institute (BSI) 

POLICIES 

∙ Safety 

o No Running on pool deck, in changing rooms, or in hallways 

o Glass Containers are not permitted in the natatorium or changing rooms 

o Pool patrons are not permitted to access storage closets or other areas restricted to staff o Any person with a known communicable disease may not use the pools 

o Any person with an open wound may not use the pools. Adhesive bandages are not  sufficient wound coverage 

∙ Supervision of Minors: 

o All minors under the age of 12 attending lessons, clinics, camps, team practices, or other  classes may be unattended only during the time allotted for the program. For all other  programming, including special events, all minors must be accompanied by an adult at  all times.  

o Expectations of the Code of Conduct are to be followed by all persons at all times while  at the pools at Albany Road-Wellesley and must be reviewed with minors in advance of  attendance at any program.  

o All minors age 12 and under must pass a basic deep end test before using the deep end  of the Competition Pool during Recreational Swim or special events. 

o Coaches and adults supervising minors must abide by CRA’s Policy on the Protection of  Minors https://charlesriveraquatics.com/policies/ 

∙ Lap Swim: 

Patrons swimming during designated Lap Swim hours must be 18 years or older.  ∙ Swim Caps: 

o All persons with hair 6 inches or longer must wear swim caps at all times. 

o All students enrolled in CRA swim lessons, levels 3 and higher, must wear swim caps at  all times. 

o All athletes swimming with youth or adult swim teams must wear swim caps at all  times.

∙ Showering: 

ALL patrons must thoroughly rinse before entering the pools. This keeps the pools clean, and  ensures a healthy environment for all to enjoy. 

  

∙ Changing Rooms: 

  

o Changing rooms in the natatorium at the Albany Road-Wellesley are available for use  only while swimming. CRA is not responsible for personal belongings. Therefore,  patrons are encouraged to bring valuables to deck while swimming. All belongings must  be removed upon exit from the facility.  

o CRA expects all patrons to demonstrate respect and modesty. No children over the age  of 4 are allowed in the changing room of the opposite sex. The Family Changing Room  is intended for use by all, regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender  identity. 

∙ Children in Diapers: 

Form fitting swim diapers, underneath rubber pants with leg gathers, are required for all babies  and toddlers not yet toilet trained. 

∙ Strollers: 

Strollers are not permitted on pool deck. 

∙ Photography: 

CRA upholds a strict policy regarding photography in and around the pools at Albany Road Wellesley. 

All photographs must observe generally accepted standards of decency, in particular: 

o Action shots should be a celebration of the sporting activity, not a sexualized  image in a sporting context 

o Action shots should not be taken or retained where the photograph reveals a  torn or displaced swimsuit

o Photographs may not be taken from behind starting blocks at the start of a race,  or exhibit an individual climbing out of the swimming pool 

o Photographs may not be taken in the changing rooms or bathrooms 

∙ Equipment: 

o Diving boards, starting blocks, and other competitive equipment are only for use under  the direct supervision of a coach or with special permission of CRA Management and  lifeguards. 

o SCUBA equipment and personal flotation devices are not permitted in the pools at  Albany Road-Wellesley unless under the supervision of an instructor.  

∙ Private Swimming Lessons: 

The use of the pools at Albany Road-Wellesley during recreational or lap swim to offer private  swimming lessons is strictly prohibited. Only CRA staff may provide swim instruction.  

*The possession of weapons, and the use, possession or distribution of alcohol,  tobacco, marijuana, or illegal substances is strictly prohibited at Albany Road Wellesley.*

June 2023 

Policy on the Protection of Minors 

Charles River Aquatics (CRA) 

An adult is defined as a person aged 18 years or older. 

A child (minor) is defined as anyone under the age of 18. 

All staff (of CRA and of other user groups) must read and abide by policies for child safety and  abuse prevention as outlined in this Policy on the Protection of Minors. 

All programs must have a procedure to receive and investigate grievances and complaints filed  by program participants. 

All staff (of CRA and of other user groups) suspecting, observing or receiving a report of child  abuse or neglect must make immediate report to CRA Management and to the Massachusetts  Department of Children and Families, Child-At-Risk Hotline, 1-800-792-5200. 

If risk/danger is immediate, call 911. 

All Staff (of CRA and of other user groups) must meet the following requirements for the  protection of minors: 

∙ Speak to minors in a respectful manner, not in a manner demeaning or abusive. Refrain  from using inappropriate language/humor in the presence of minors. This includes, but  is not limited to: swearing, racial, sexist or ethnic comments or jokes, or comments  regarding physical appearance.  

∙ Touching must be age and contextually appropriate. Touch should be based solely on  the needs of the instruction being given. 

∙ Physical contact with minors can be misconstrued by both minors and other adults.  Touch must be appropriate, public and non-sexual (high-five, fist bump, hand shake, pat  on the back, etc.). Maintain proper boundaries at all times. 

∙ Structure programs to eliminate any one-on-one time between an adult and a minor in a  private area, not readily observable by others. To the extent possible, have at least two  adults present at all times. This includes, but is not limited to, transporting a minor  to/from activities, escorting a minor to the bathroom, changing facilities, showers, or  waiting with a minor to be picked up. Staff (of CRA or other user groups) should not  give a child whom is not their own, a ride home.

∙ Provide notice to parents/guardians that the pools at the Albany Road-Wellesley (d.b.a.  Boston Sports Institute (BSI)), including changing rooms and restrooms, are not limited  exclusively to one user. Other groups will use the facility simultaneously. 

∙ All staff (of CRA or other user groups) is prohibited from engaging in any sexually oriented conversation with minors. 

∙ All staff (of CRA or other user groups) is prohibited from possessing sexually-oriented  materials or accessing similar materials on the internet in the presence of minors.  ∙ All staff (of CRA and other user groups) is prohibited from accepting gifts from minors  without the knowledge of the parent/guardian. 

∙ All staff (of CRA or other user groups) is prohibited from the use, possession, or being  under the influence of alcohol, marijuana or illegal substances while working with  minors. No one shall provide alcohol, marijuana or illegal substances to a minor. 

∙ All staff (of CRA or other user groups) athletes, participants, or other attendees will  adhere to the Policy on Photography, as outlined. 

All photographs must observe generally accepted standards of decency, in particular: 

o Action shots should be a celebration of the sporting activity, not a sexualized  image in a sporting context 

o Action shots should not be taken or retained where the photograph reveals a  torn or displaced swimsuit 

o Photographs may not be taken from behind starting blocks at the start of a race,  or exhibit a child climbing out of the swimming pool 

o Photographs may not be taken in changing rooms or bathrooms

May 2023 

Charles River Aquatics Policy Regarding Illness 

At Charles River Aquatics (CRA) the health and safety of our patrons and staff is of the utmost  importance.  

Per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, if you have a communicable disease, you  may not swim.  

Please stay home if you are not feeling well. 

Your adherence to this policy is essential to the health and safety of everyone.  Thank you!