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Free Memberships for Chicago Teens: June 8 – August 31, 2026

This summer, Chicago teens ages 12 through 18 can join any of our seven city YMCAs free — no fees, no barriers. Current 12- to 18-year-old members in the city will also receive complimentary memberships in July and August.

YMCAs Across Chicago

  • Irving Park YMCA: 4251 W. Irving Park Rd. (Old Irving Park) 
    • Mon. - Thurs. 5:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. | Fri. 5:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. | Sat. - Sun. 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Kelly Hall YMCA: 824 N. Hamlin Ave. (West Humboldt Park) 
    • Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. | Sat. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Sun. Closed
  • Lake View YMCA: 3333 N. Marshfield Ave. (Lake View) 
    • Mon. - Thurs. 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Fri. 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. | Sat. - Sun. 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • McCormick YMCA: 1834 N. Lawndale Ave. (Humboldt Park) 
    • Mon. - Fri. 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. | Sat. - Sun. 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Rauner Family YMCA: 2700 S. Western Ave. (Little Village, Pilsen) 
    • Mon. - Fri. 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. | Sat. 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Sun. 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • South Side YMCA: 6330 S. Stony Island Ave. (Hyde Park, Woodlawn) 
    • Mon. - Fri. 5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. | Sat. - Sun. 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • West Garfield Park YMCA: 4305 W. Madison St. (West Garfield Park)
    • Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. | Sat. - Sun. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Find My Y

Everything the YMCA Has To Offer

  • Fitness centers including cardio machines, free weights, and strength equipment.
  • Gyms and courts offering basketball and a range of other sports. 
  • Pools and open swim when available at participating locations.
  • Outdoor playing fields and indoor and outdoor tracks, where available.

How To Activate Your Free Teen Membership

  • Register in person at your nearest Y! Teens ages 12-17 must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians to register. Eighteen-year-olds can register on their own.
  • Parents and 18-year-olds must have a driver’s license, government-issued state ID, or a CityKey with a Chicago address to register. 
  • Members must abide by all membership and facility rules. 
Find My Y

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Advanced registration is not required. Register in person on site at your nearest Y.
  • Register in person at your nearest Y. Teens ages 12-17 must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians to register. Eighteen-year-olds can register on their own.
  • ID is required for parents and 18-year-old teens. This includes drivers’ licenses, government-issued state IDs, or a CityKey with a Chicago address.
  • Teens ages 12-17 need a parent or legal guardian to register. Once registered, they can come to the facility on their own.
  • Pool availability varies depending on location, day, and time. Check with your nearest Y for current open swim schedules.
  • This program is available to 12 to 18-year-old Chicago residents only.
  • A Get Summer YMCA membership gives teens access to YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago city locations as official members — providing a safe, welcoming space to stay active, connect, and belong. 

    With a YMCA membership, teens can: 
    • Use health & fitness spaces, including cardio and strength area (age guidelines and equipment orientations apply)
    • Access gymnasiums for open play like basketball and volleyball
    • Swim during open or lap swim times in our pools
    • Spend time in shared spaces designed to support wellbeing, connection, and community

    Every YMCA location offers a mix of health & fitness, aquatics, and open recreational opportunities as part of membership access. Access varies by location schedules, hours, and age policies.
  • The Get Summer Teen Membership is a standard YMCA membership — it is not a structured summer program or day camp, and it does not include meals or full-day supervision.

    The following are not included and may require additional registration fees: 
    • Meals or food service (no breakfast, lunch, or snack programming) 
    • Summer camp, day camp, or full-day teen programs 
    • Staff supervision or childcare, including our drop-in KidsZone 
    • Fee-based programs and specialty offerings, including: 
      • Aquatics programs like swim lessons 
      • Sports programs (leagues, clinics, training) 
      • Personal training or small group training 
      • Early learning programs 
      • Family programs or enrichment classes 
      • Teen-specific programs or structured activities that require registration 
      • Group rentals, events, or field trips 
      • Transportation services

    YMCA locations offer a wide range of programs — such as sports, aquatics, summer camp, personal training, early learning, and drop-in KidsZone — but these are not included in a standard Get Summer teen membership and must be registered for separately.

Change A Teen’s Summer

At the Y, we believe that every young person deserves a place to grow, thrive, and discover their potential, regardless of their zip code or family income. With your support, we can ensure that thousands of teens have access to thrive this summer. For just $30, you can sponsor a teen’s membership for one month, providing access to our pools, fitness centers, courts, fields, and more.  

Donate

YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago Teen Programming

From improving academic performance to fostering connections with peers to shaping the leaders of tomorrow, the YMCA of Metro Chicago’s teen programs are dedicated to empowering youth to become the best versions of themselves.

Learn More