FAQs

The Philadelphia Quarry Club currently has 500 members and its owners are the stockholders. There are 80 shares of Quarry stock, in total. Our capacity to accept new members is limited by our insurance policy, therefore we maintain a waiting-list of member applicants.

What does 'swim at your own risk' mean?

Put simply, it means no more lifeguards. To be more specific,

our traditional lifeguards will be replaced by a professional

management company called Swim Club Management Group. With this change,

the Philadelphia Quarry is now a "swim at your own risk" club starting with the 2019 season, like many lakes, ocean fronts, and pools across the country.

However, a full-time attendant will oversee the day to day operations.

Because of the natural beauty afforded to us at the Quarry- dark, deep water, rocks-,

the Board of Directors, after a thorough review of our options, determined that

professional management was the way to keep the Quarry operating for another 87

years and beyond.

My friend would like to join. Can you send her an application?

Only stockholder members may nominate individuals for membership. The list of these members is not public information. If you do not know of a stockholder member who can propose your friend for membership, perhaps you could invite the stockholder who proposed you for membership to consider nominating your friend. Stockholder members may nominate only two members per year.

Why can't I eat a sandwich or drink a beer on the lower deck?

Think separation of church and state. The Quarry has two zones: Upper and Lower. The upper zone is for picnicking and enjoying an adult beverage (for those of legal age, of course.) The lower level is for swimming only.

Water and alcohol don't mix. So you'll never see anyone with a beer in hand while floating in a tube at the Quarry. Enjoy your beer after you swim. We insist. Glass bottles, stone walkways, and barefoot children don't mix either. So please avoid bringing glassware and never carry glass onto the lower level.

Our raccoon visitors become intrusive food scavengers as the summer progresses. When picnicking is contained on the upper level, we've noticed we have fewer problems with animals seeking food. We appreciate your cooperation in observing these essential house rules.

Can I bring a grill to cook dinner?

Grilling is fine in the upper-level picnic areas. But please don't leave a hot grill unattended, especially around children. And be sure to take the grill home the same night. Stay keenly aware of fire hazards, especially during the summer dry season, as you dispose of used charcoal and trash.

Which nights can we picnic until 8pm?

We're open until 8pm every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday from May 25th to September 2nd. Swimming ends at 7:45, prior to the 8pm closing. Please be considerate of attendant by packing up ahead of 8pm and leaving the club on time. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, the Quarry is open from 11am to 7pm.

Where can I plug in my cell phone? Are phones even allowed?

To answer the question of electricity, you won't find a plug for your phone charger. The Philadelphia Quarry Club is, in essence, a swimming hole with a sophisticated name. We've never had electricity and we've done just fine without it. Our membership prefers to keep the club in its original circa-1932 state.

We do allow cell phone conversations at the Quarry. But we encourage members to use their good common sense and be mindful of others: For more than a brief exchange, find a private spot to talk and please use your indoor voice.

How do I buy, sell, or transfer a share of stock?

Stockholders who wish to sell a share of stock may contact the president who will also list any available shares on this site. If you wish to gift your share of stock to a family member or friend, complete the back of the stock certificate and mail it to the Corporate Secretary along with a transfer fee of $100, payable to the Philadelphia Quarry Corp. Old-school money, please—no bitcoin or cryptocurrencies. If you wish to buy a share of stock, let the president know and watch the website for news of available shares. We have no control over the availability of stock shares, we do not influence stock prices, and we do not publish stockholder names to protect their privacy.

Can I send my nanny to the quarry to babysit my children?

If your nanny (or man-ny) is 18 or over and he/she is also a Quarry member who is familiar with our Club rules, we're okay with that. But please, no drop-offs for children younger than 14. The Quarry's drop-off policy is far more stringent than policies at local swim-club or neighborhood pools. And we understand that this may be frustrating for parents. We hear you. But here's the thing: The Quarry is a bottomless body of dark water that poses risks far beyond those of a clear-blue swimming pool. Our rules are tighter because we're not willing to take chances with your children's safety. Thanks for understanding.

Do You Provide Life Vests for Visitors?

A supply of extra life-vests provided by the Quarry would certainly be a gracious gesture on our part. Handy, too. But for legal reasons, we can't. Not even. You see, once we hand you a life vest, we become responsible for you (or your child's) safety. Suppose the vest fits poorly? A buckle fails? Or a vest that isn't 'Coast-Guard Approved' (as stipulated by our astronomically expensive insurance policy) sneaks into our closet? You can see where this is headed. Shudder.

We're sure you can appreciate the legal responsibility that goes along with the simple act of lending a life vest. So, no, we are unable to keep a few extras to lend. Please do buy your own Coast Guard Approved Life Vest before the season begins and keep it ever-always available in your car.

I witnessed some unsafe/annoying behavior at the Quarry. Whom do I call?

Let's address the unsafe behavior first: This could be a swimmer whose strokes more closely resemble a swan song—or a child playing with matches. In cases of imminent danger, by all means, intervene, or alert the attendant on duty. For less-urgent but still worrisome matters, our Pool Manager and our Safety Committee will appreciate hearing your concerns. We'll address each situation as needed. Their contact information is on our Staff and Committee pages, but we'll include it here as well: click here to alert us of safety concerns.

Next, while inconsiderate behavior is rare at the Quarry, we take your reports seriously. One of our club's many charms is its warm and respectful feeling of community. Feel free to bring your concerns to our attendant or Membership Committee. When appropriate, we will follow up with the offending member to clarify our code-of-conduct and basic good manners. Hint: If your crew has dragged twelve chairs into a circle and you're cracking your fifth collective cold beer, we might suggest an alternate watering hole. On rare occasions, we have revoked memberships. But in most cases, a gentle reminder does the trick.

Guests? How many can I bring? What about fees?

Each family unit may bring five guests in one week. We start counting the week on Sundays, so you should, too. Within a family, when the invitations start flying from both parents and children, you may quickly find you have a posse of guests on your hands. Teach your children to run all invites past an adult, to avoid an overabundance of guests. An individual guest may visit no more than five times per season, no matter who invited them. Make sense?

Now, let's talk out-of-town houseguests. Suppose your niece from Chicago is visiting your family for a month. We offer a Guest Pass specifically for out-of-town houseguests for $10 per week. This pass allows us to waive the 5-visit-per-season limit. The attendant on duty can issue you a pass and collect your pass fees.

Can you deliver a truckload of rocks?

We get this question a lot, actually. The Philadelphia Quarry was an active stone quarry sometime around the early 1900s. See History. To this day, some people think we're an exclusive private club while others think we haul rocks. Fact is, we're neither.

Where can I plug

How do I buy

Do you provide life

Can I send my nanny

Guests? How many

Can you deliver

I witnessed