Sacramento Central YMCA — Attraction in Sacramento

I called the YMCA about their memberships because my 6 year old granddaughter has been begging to go swimming and our hoa pool is closed for the winter. She is autistic and as a precaution we use a reusable swim diaper that actually looks like bathing suit bottoms not a diaper at all. She's not completely incontinent but she is autistic and sometimes she gets a little distracted, but the reusable swim diaper keeps everybody safe. The person who answered the phone was so rude about my questions relating to the reusable swim diaper, essentially she told us we are not welcome at the YMCA and that it was "gross" that I even asked to put a child in a diaper in their pool. She didn't ask questions, she was not empathetic at all. I felt utterly and completely humiliated and excluded. I am so grateful I called ahead, my granddaughter experiences far too much disappointment and hurt due to insensitive, non inclusive environments created by insensitive people who do nothing but reinforce stigma. At least I called and spared the kid another dehumanizing interaction and another disappointment. I've never set foot on the property, I have no idea what it's like although I know the YMCA does good in the world. Just not for our kiddo, it was made perfectly clear her needs will not be accommodated at their facility. I certainly hope that families with special needs children are treated with more dignity and respect on site than I was treated on the phone. In case you care, she is okay, my kiddo got what she needed. I took her to dolphin swim school for a swim, they don't have a single problem with her reusable swim diaper. In fact, they applauded my efforts, and went the extra distance in make us feel validated, included, and part of the human race. I can't say the same thing for Sacramento YMCA. I wish I had written down the name of the person I spoke with but...

I was assaulted by a lifeguard while I was in the deep end of the pool.

I was at the pool of central YMCA 4/7/2025 around 7:50pm. I entered the open swim area to acclimate to the water temp and was slowly moving from the 4 ft end to the 12 ft end along the rope, not disturbing the other 4 patrons in the area. While I was reaching the deep end, I was struck by a lifeguard with a floatation device and it caused me to choke on water at the 12 ft deep end. I was then told I was not allowed "lap swim" at the open swim area (30 seconds after I entered the pool and moved from one side to the other). I explained that I was not lap swimming but I was not given any other reason to justify the assault.

I'm deeply troubled by how I was supposedly "informed" as children frequent the open swim area and might not be able to casually sustained being struck in the head as "warning". (A reasonable procedure to gain the attention of swimmers would be to whistle). I immediately alerted the front desk about the lifeguard's aggressive behavior but no action was taken.

YMCA has a long history of assault, sexual assault, and other inappropriate behaviors from its staffs and patrons. I have been a full price paying member for 5 years and it has not done much to improve but continue to encourage such culture. I was grabbed and scratched by another patron and I was told I was in the way just a month ago during open swim time. I urge management to take immediate action and review the surveillance camera (if avail. I inquired but was not given an answer if the pool area has been monitored.) Again, the pool holds many group water activities involving young children and learners. It should be supervised by...

Typical YMCA. No frills physical plant, but it's cheap and the pool is clean even if the changing rooms are definitely not. The front desk staff in the main building are clueless. The pool isn't handicap-accessible and there's very little attempt to help folks who require extra physical assistance.

The children's center is another thing entirely. Great management, but the counselors at summer camp are young and inexperienced. Well-meaning, certainly, but there is absolutely no training or accommodation made for special needs kids, and they are seriously understaffed. 4 year olds can wander off and get into all sorts of trouble, and they give you no notice - not even 24 hours - when your child is terminated for behavioral issues.

That said, some of the staff - Whitney, the counselor/bus driver, and several others - are really dedicated to the kids and are trying to make this a healthy and safe environment. It's just so chaotic that I'm not sure they will be able to. But they are doing their best. It's too bad that they are undone by dozens of young and enthusiastic but totally untrained counselors/caregivers.

If you have an older child who is very well-behaved and contained and doesn't need much guidance or structure, though, this could be an excellent choice for after school or summer camp. They do fun stuff and have a big physical plant. The food is decent, and...