With gas prices soaring, a YMCA Summer Membership Makes more sense than ever. According to an April report issued by the U.S. Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration, retail gas prices could climb as high as $4 a gallon this summer with an expected average cost of $3.60. With prices at such lofty levels, families in the Tennessee Valley are thinking twice about hitting the road this summer and looking for family activities closer to home.

“With gas prices that high, there’s no better time than now to look into a YMCA Summer Membership,” said Randy Brown, president/CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga. AAA which has been tracking vacation costs since 1950, estimates that the average vacation for a family of four costs between $191 per day for a trip to Nebraska to $559 per day for a trip to Hawaii. In 1950, AAA calculated the cost of a family vacation at $13 per day.

“It doesn’t take a math whiz to figure out that a summer membership for $388 is an incredible value,” Mr. Brown noted, “and that is for a family of any size. It also allows you access into any of the seven YMCA family centers in the area.” The YMCAs in Chattanooga, Cleveland, Rhea County and North Georgia offer indoor and outdoor pools, steam rooms, saunas, tennis courts, fitness classes, racquetball and activities for every member of the family.

Other benefits of a YMCA summer membership include discounts on day camp, swim lessons and birthday parties. Although they usually offer summer activities just for families, the variety is greater than ever before. Click on any YMCA family center link for more information about your neighborhood YMCA and its opportunities for family fun this summer!