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For years, the Christian Family Centre has had a very basic policy for swimwear. We have seen challenges with this policy through the years and given the growth we expect to see in summer traffic we are strengthening it to better fit our mission and declare Biblical principles while reaching non-believers in a welcoming way.
Scripture is clear in that it tells believers to dress modestly and not to conform to the world. It also tells us to love our neighbors or enemies and follow the example of Jesus as He met people where they were at and then ministered to them. As a ministry, the Christian Family Centre seeks to be obedient to both of these calls. We have seen great growth in our membership and traffic and God is actively using this ministry to proclaim Truth, strengthen families, build relationships between believers and non-believers, and link families to churches. We are excited for the ministry that the addition of The Corner Park will bring to the Kingdom and we believe the way we handle the dress code is fundamental to the effectiveness of the ministry.
The Corner Park is designed as an activity park for all ages of the family. The Centre is a family-oriented ministry that believes activity is an essential part of living a healthy life and building a healthy family. We have created the following swimwear principles to guide and protect this environment.
Swimwear Principles:
- Modesty —> Swimwear should provide coverage that is God-honoring and appropriate for a family-oriented environment.
- Safety —> Parents and individuals should strongly consider the risk of prolonged sun exposure. Swimsuits are a great protective step!
- Activity —> Swimwear should fit the activities in The Corner Park — bounce, climb, splash, and swim!
Guidelines:
- All Visitors:
- No jeans or cut-offs, athletic shorts/shirts, etc….
- Swim diapers are required for children who are not toilet trained.
- Tattoos with inappropriate language or depictions of nudity must be covered.
- The Centre reserves the right to refuse access or excuse a member/guest not complying with these guidelines.
- Men/Boys:
- All suits must have a liner per State of Michigan laws. No undergarments should be visible.
- Suits should have a drawstring that keeps them up under rigorous activity of jumping and climbing and swimming.
- Recommended attire: swimming trunks, shorts with liners, board shorts
- Not allowed: Speedo suits (unless for swimming competition or lane swim)
- A shirt and shoes must be worn other than in the pool area and The Corner Park.
- Women/Girls:
- All suits must have a liner per State of Michigan laws. No undergarments should be visible.
- Recommended attire: one-piece, tankini, modest/sporty two-piece
- Not allowed: string bikinis of any sort, strapless two-piece suits or overly revealing swimsuits
- A shirt and shoes must be worn other than in the pool area and The Corner Park.
What will happen if a member or guest is wearing a suit deemed inappropriate?
- A member of our trained staff of the same gender will come alongside the individual to discuss the situation and the reasons for our guidelines from a Christian perspective. We see this as an opportunity to minister and discuss why we have different standards than other parks/pools.
- If it is a teen under 18, the discussion will be held with the teen’s parent/guardian that is with them.
- The member/guest will be given an opportunity to change or they will be given a t-shirt to cover up and continue activities.
- The ultimate goal within these steps is to be loving and kind and not create an argument.
Approaching a person based on these principles is not an easy thing to do. The passage of scripture below provides some council for us as we approach someone we feel is in violation of these principles. We don’t want to judge, we don’t want to demean, we want to care enough to confront in a loving manner.
I Corinthians 13 – The Way of Love (ESV)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now, we see in a mirror dimly but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
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We do not allow coolers or outside food items to be brought inside the park. A picnic area is located at the north end of our campus, in the Merillat Family Park where guests can enjoy the food they have brought from home. No alcohol or glass is permitted in the picnic area. There are walking paths, a disc golf course, sand volleyball courts, and two playgrounds located in or near the Merillat Family Park. Large and small pavilions with charcoal grills are available for rental. All other facilities in the Merillat Family Park are free.
We offer a great selection of sandwiches, wraps, salads, snacks and specialty coffee inside at The Centre Café. But, you may also grab a snack or meal outside at The Corner Park concessions stand! Corner Park concessions menu items include: pizza by the slice, hot dogs, chili dogs, nachos and cheese, hot pretzels, salty snacks, ice cream treats, slushies, cold beverages (Pop, Gatorade, water, juice drinks), and more!
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When the forecasted high temperature is above 68 degrees:
The Corner Park will open as scheduled.
When the forecasted high temperature is 68 degrees or below:
The Pool and Splash Pad will close.
The remainder of the park will remain open.Other situations:
Rain
The outdoor pool will close when conditions cause poor visibility for staff. The jumping pillow will close when wet.
Thunder or lightning
Corner Park will close and not reopen until there are 30 minutes with no lightning or thunder. All patrons must seek shelter inside. If there is thunder or lightning within one hour of the scheduled park closing, Corner Park will close for the day.
Tornado Warning
Corner Park will close until the Tornado Warning is lifted and all guests must seek shelter inside.
Other severe weather situations will be addressed with the procedures in the Incident Management Plan.
All guests and spectators entering The Centre and The Corner Park are charged an admission fee. Refunds are not provided due to weather or other situations beyond our control.
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Limited life jackets are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Guests are also welcomed to bring Coast Guard approved flotation devices. Pool noodles, beach balls, and other inflatables are not permitted.
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We desire that The Corner Park remain a family-friendly destination. The use of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, e-cigarettes, controlled substances and profanity is prohibited while in The Centre or on its grounds.
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The Christian Family Centre exists to glorify Jesus Christ by supporting the physical, spiritual, and social wellness of our communities. (Luke 2:52)
Parents, we thank you for your support of this policy and ask that you keep the age policy in mind as you consider activities for your children. Nonadherence to the age policy may result in a reduction of benefits. Please do not hesitate to contact us should questions arise.
Age Policy
Members under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.In the event a parent or legal guardian is not present, a responsible adult, age 18 or older, that is at least five(5) years older than the oldest child may be permitted to accompany the child. IE: Babysitter, neighbor, etc.
Fitness Rooms and Fitness Classes Age Policy
Children must be at least 13 years of age to attend a group fitness class. Children between the ages of 10 – 12 are allowed to use certain fitness center equipment under the supervision of a parent or guardian and the completion of a youth fitness orientation. Please review the details of this policy in the “Area Specific Expectations” portion of the member handbook.
Rules highlighted on this page are intended to highlight basic member and guest expectations. All Christian Family Centre rules apply at The Corner Park. Please review the membership handbook for complete guidelines.
