Disappointing and Unprofessional Experience at Kids Empire
As a summer camp director responsible for the safety and well-being of over 120 children, I feel compelled to share our experience with Kids Empire to help others avoid similar frustrations and disappointments.
We had a scheduled visit with a large group of campers ages 5 to 8, arranged well in advance. Unfortunately, in the days leading up to our visit, we found it impossible to get in touch with anyone from the facility. Repeated phone calls went unanswered, leaving us with no opportunity to confirm details or ask even the most basic logistical questions. Once on-site, we observed staff members leaving the phone ringing and continuing to ignore it, even when they were clearly not busy. This only reinforced the impression that communication breakdowns are not an accident but standard practice.
Upon arrival, we were met with complete disorganization and inflexibility. Staff informed us that waivers were required before entry, a detail that could have been easily addressed ahead of time had anyone responded to our earlier outreach. Instead of working with us to find a solution, they refused to let anyone into the building, leaving young children waiting outside in the summer heat in front of surrounding storefronts. Some were crying, overheated, and confused, and staff showed no sense of urgency or compassion in response.
Even more disturbing was the refusal to allow children to use the restroom, forcing us to rely on neighboring businesses who, thankfully, were far more accommodating and kind. At one point, the situation was so visibly upsetting that one of the nearby business managers came outside and offered our group a large box of stickers in an effort to help cheer up the crying and disappointed children. That gesture of kindness stood in stark contrast to the indifference we experienced from the Kids Empire staff.
Once my staff and I began the difficult process of contacting parents individually to get digital waivers signed, we encountered yet another issue. The check-in process itself took an additional 5 to 10 minutes per child. This meant that even if we had come fully prepared with signed waivers in advance, we would have spent the majority, if not all, of our reserved two-hour visit just checking in, leaving little to no time for the children to actually enjoy the facility.
Despite the delays and distress caused to our campers, staff continued to demand full payment upfront and refused to allow anyone inside until that was settled. All this came after we had already lost the majority of our scheduled time.
To make matters worse, the manager and employees were unhelpful, dismissive, and at times outright rude. Their tone made it clear that accommodating our group, or even just offering basic human decency, was not a priority. Things deteriorated to such a degree that we ultimately had to leave abruptly, leading to even more emotional distress among our young campers, many of whom were already crying from the experience.
As a final note, a manager from another nearby business in the shopping center approached us unprompted to express that our situation was not unusual. They shared their own experiences of poor treatment during birthday parties hosted at Kids Empire and confirmed that similar complaints were common.
In summary, our experience with Kids Empire revealed a pattern of poor communication, disorganization, and a complete disregard for children's well-being. For a facility whose entire brand centers on children, their lack of flexibility, empathy, and professionalism is inexcusable. I strongly advise against booking any group trips or events at this location and would caution parents to think twice before entrusting this business with their child's care. read more