Membership FAQs

It depends. The wait list has three tiers. First priority is Deer Brook residents, followed by other Medford residents, and finally by residents of all other towns. The date of your written request (mailed or e-mailed) determines your rank on your applicable tier. Historically, a family has spent three to five years on the wait list before receiving an offer to join Deer Brook. But the last two or three years, every family on the wait list by February has received an offer to join Deer Brook that season.

In 2009, the bond requirement was $500. (In past years it has been $1,000 and $750.) You may pay that all at once, or split it over 2 years. See application for details.

The refundable bond is your "ownership stake" in Deer Brook. We are a member-owned, non-profit club run entirely by volunteers. As bondholders, all members have a vested interest in keeping the club looking nice and financially solvent, and the bond money provides the capital for needed repairs and upgrades. The bond also keeps membership turnover low, creating the family atmosphere that we all enjoy.

The bond is refundable upon termination of your Deer Brook membership, a process that takes 12 to 24 months, as we need to build all bond repurchases from a given year into the following year’s operating budget. See application for details.

This one-time fee is non-refundable, and is never waived or lowered. All Deer Brook families paid this fee to join, and our by-laws stipulate that we charge it. Projected revenue from initiation fees is included in the annual budget, and used for improvements and regular operating costs.

The Deer Brook Executive Committee determines annual dues each January, based on that year's projected expenses. In 2009, dues were $675; in 2008 and 2007, they were $650. Dues are collected in March. Bondholders must pay dues each year to be considered an active member for that year. Bondholders may go on “inactive” status in any year they choose, but only active members may use the pool and tennis courts and participate on swim/dive team.

Deer Brook only offers whole-family, annual memberships. A membership includes all related persons living in the same household. A membership is active year-round and includes access to our lighted tennis courts and invitations to any social events.

Grandparents (parents/in-laws of the adult member) are admitted free when accompanying the member or member’s children. Babysitters may use guest passes, or the family can buy an "adjunct" membership for $100 for the season.

Yes, with some restrictions. Guests who live within the Lenape Regional school sending area are limited to FIVE (5) visits per season total, regardless of sponsor. The only exceptions are for grandparents (see above) and babysitters who work for a Deer Brook family, and they must be registered at the front gate on the sponsoring family's membership card to qualify. All other non-members age 5 and older require a daily guest pass.

Guest fees for 2010 are to be determined. In 2009, the daily fee was $5, with books of 10 passes sold for $30.

According to New Jersey tax law, if we can document that more than 50 percent of our members are age 18 or younger, we are exempt from charging sales tax on membership dues. Be assured, your information is kept confidential and secure.

Your family must be current, active members of Deer Brook Swim & Tennis Club to join our Division A Bluefish Swim Team and South Jersey Dive Champions Diving Team. To become an active member, see How do I get on the wait list above. A separate swim and dive registration starts in March for all active members. For additional questions, email swim@deerbrookonline.org or dive@deerbrookonline.org