East Orange YMCA

The Parent & Me swim class on Saturdays is great for my 2 year old AUSOME son Tru. The instructor Mr. Hunter was so patient with him and eased my fears of Tru being in the water.

The staff is very professional & knowledgeable about swimming & they have help my son who has never swam before get back each lesson.

I had my four year old in the afterschool program. He has ADHD and the program just wasn’t for him unfortunately. Every day I was getting reports of him having loud outbursts or not paying attention not listening or bothering the other children. I feel like they should have had an alternate option for children that do need more one on one attention. It was overstimulating him and I couldn’t take him the reports anymore. As much as I needed him To be watched after school I felt like he was singled out a lot unfortunately just due to the lack of resources for children with his behaviors. I expected more from a YMCA. I will however say the place was class, director was very nice and she’s why I made the choice to take him out because she was honest and said for herself it’s too much going on for him there. It’s hurting him socially more than it was beneficial. The teachers however are teenagers or very new to the field. They need more patience and learn about children with mental disabilities and challenges. I feel like with more experienced care providers or actual teachers and therapist it would have been a great place for him. I’ll try again once he gets older.

We attend the East Orange location for swimming lessons. So far it has been a great experience, the team is really friendly and energetic. My son and I were swimming in no time and my kids love attending. I just wish the premises were a little more up to date.

Wellington was very helpful throughout the process of registering and attending the lifeguard course. I can imagine other young people struggle with understanding the process, similar to my son. Wellington went above and beyond to ensure my son had everything he needed to be successful in the course. My son feels prepared to be a lifeguard this summer with a local camp.