Cooper YMCA — Local services in Lincoln

If I could give zero stars I would. To start off : My son and his Cub Scout pack are here for a Lock-In tonight at this location only because the Fallbrook YMCA wasn’t available. Our Leaders were told that we could get into the building at 9:45 (that was even a stretch to get the Director to do that) due to having such a large amount of kids and adults & we only have the pool from 10:00pm - 12:00am; so we needed some time to get everyone’s beds and whatnot set up in the gym & get changed for the pool. Well we were let in at 9:45 only to come into a dark gym with just enough light to kind of see where we were going to put our stuff down 😒😒 An employee then proceeded to come down in the gym and tell us we needed to exit the gym into the commons area because there was a “miscommunication” with the Director who already approved us to come in at 9:45 and that we weren’t even supposed to be in the building yet and we couldn’t be in the gym until the light was on due to safety reasons. Ok, I get that she has to do that, but the miscommunication is unbelievably ridiculous tonight. We were then told that they wouldn’t get any of the ping pong paddles, pool table equipment and nothing else out for the kids to play with which we understood that it would be taken out. All of the employees, with the exception of one really nice girl who directed us to where the like 10 towels were for the pool, looked like it was just a huge inconvenience to be here. Normally the gym is a “quiet” area for the boys and everyone else with a movie playing, and we got told that the lights would not be shut off until the boys are sleeping. What good is that going to do when this is a lock-in and the boys & other kids are going to be up ALL NIGHT??!?!!!? The WiFi was shut off which makes absolutely no sense. Our Pack spent a ridiculous amount of money that our Boys work so hard to raise by selling popcorn (which is the ONLY fundraiser the Council approves the boys to do during the year, so they work their tails off to raise as much money as they can for their activities for the year), for horrible customer service, a lack of anything for the kids to do (we did bring a few games for the kids to do, but usually the facility provides general activities for them to do), rude staff and absolutely horrible miscommunication! We will NOT be...

A while ago, we took our son to the YMCA. Our goal was to help him get used to their daycare while we worked out.

When we arrived at the daycare, my husband told one of the staff members that I would stay with our son for a short time until he felt comfortable with the environment and caregivers, and then I would join him for our workout. One of the staff members immediately said, “You can only stay for 10 to 15 minutes. That’s our policy.” We had no choice but to agree. My husband left to work out, and I stayed.

However, as soon as he left, the staff member called the manager, as if I had committed a crime! They didn’t even wait to see if I would leave after 10 minutes—they called the manager right away. Thankfully, they didn’t call the police!!!!!!

The manager showed up and stood there watching me. In the meantime, I tried to leave three times, but my son noticed and got upset, so I couldn’t go. I even told one of the staff members, “I’ll be waiting outside. If you need me, just call me.”

As soon as the 10 minutes were up, the manager immediately came to me and told me to leave. I tried to explain my son’s situation—he was only 15 months old, and it was natural for him to be scared in a new place with new people—but the manager showed no empathy, no flexibility, and simply repeated, “This is our policy.” Then, they forced me to leave.

I was frustrated by their lack of understanding. When they saw that I was upset, they offered a half-hearted apology, but it was clear they didn’t really care. Just five minutes later, my son started crying, so I had to take him out.

When my husband came back and tried to talk to the manager, they accused me of slamming the door—how is that even possible when the door has a soft-close mechanism?

It’s truly disappointing that such a large organization would hire a daycare manager with zero understanding of children’s needs and no ability to listen to parents. Instead of considering different situations, they rigidly stick to their so-called “policy” and act as if that makes them professional. If you don’t know how to manage a child-friendly environment, it’s better to either shut it down or reconsider your choice...

I must begin by expressing my disgust and distain for the Cooper YMCAS’ aquatics team. First off, I had placed my child in their swimming lessons to build the skills nescessary to be a successful swimmer. My child was in the Level 2 swimming class. I watched as he was instructed on the different covered topics. I can say he was learning but was not ready or skilled enough by the ending of the class to move up to the Level 3 group. I was very satisfied with their recommendation to not pass him. Second, I again signed him up for Level 2 swimming group. Again I watched his understanding of the tasks asked of him during this groups sesson he was showing positive strides in potentially passing. Enough strides that during the half way mark he was given a thumbs up from the instructor that he would pass. I was estatic for him. Yet when it came time to testing a brand new instructor who had not taught his class once was the one doing the final exam and failed him for the second time! Sighting more developement of the skills nessacary to pass. Thirdly, I again signed him up for swimming lessons in group 2. However this time I decided not to watch the lessons. I was again given the thumbs up during the half way point that he would pass because he was completing all of the tasks required of him by one of his instructors. Again testing time came but the instructor who gave me the green light was not the one who tested him. The other instructor failed him for the third time! If I could provide any reasonable advice for anyone looking to have the YMCA at Cooper teach your child to swim I would highly recommend going else where. I have invested a bunch of money into these lessons for my child not to be given all of the instructions needed to pass each lesson let alone the same one three times. Plus placing so many children in each lesson that one instructor could not possiblely teach all of the requirements to all of the children in the class. Save your money! Make sure you are going to get what you are paying for. Do not book through...