Unfortunately, our first experience with the YMCA was much more frustrating than it needed to be…read more
We signed our family of 6 up on 9/14. The staff was friendly, the process was fairly quick, and I left feeling good about everything. We specifically selected Kid Zone and asked if there was any additional paperwork, enrollment information, waivers, or anything else we needed to complete because I planned to come back the next morning (9/15) with my 14-month-old to use Kid Zone while I worked out. I was told everything was ready to go and there shouldn't be any issues.
Unfortunately, there were issues from start to finish.
- There were duplicate accounts, my login didn't work
- Kid Zone hadn't been added
- I was told there were additional forms and waivers I needed to complete before my toddler could go to kidzone.
I went back and forth between the front desk and Kid Zone, only to eventually be told that the account containing all of our information had been deleted instead of the blank duplicate account.
I then had to complete the membership paperwork again for two adults and four children, re-enter emergency contacts, complete the childcare forms and waivers, retake my picture, and sign everything again. At the very end, I was told the card I had uploaded the day before was no longer on file. I hadn't brought my purse because I had specifically been told everything was complete and I wouldn't have an issue coming in today. I did not finish what I set out to do with screaming toddler in hand after that 48 mins.
By this point, I was carrying my 14-month-old, diaper bag, gym things, and trying to manage a very unhappy toddler who was crying, screaming, grabbing the papers I was filling out, and wanting down. I ultimately had to leave without working out, without my account being resolved, and after spending a significant amount of time repeating a process I had already completed the day before.
I completely understand that my toddler couldn't be in Kid Zone while I was completing paperwork due to liability, that part makes sense. My frustration is that I specifically asked the day before if there was anything else we needed to do to avoid exactly this situation, and I was told there wasn't and then spent 48 mins completing everything again one handed.
I left in tears, defeated, and exhausted. As a mom, it honestly left me feeling like the process wasn't very family-oriented or mindful of the reality of trying to accomplish something with a toddler in tow. They did send me with all the formed I had filled out to bring back with me.
I do want to acknowledge one bright spot: one of the women at the front desk was incredibly kind. She offered to hold my toddler multiple times, played peek-a-boo with him, and tried to keep him occupied while I worked through everything. I genuinely appreciated her effort, even though my toddler was having absolutely none of it.
I'm hoping this was simply a communication/account-management issue and not representative of the YMCA as a whole. I really wanted this to be a place our family could enjoy, but today was an extremely discouraging first experience.