Gantry Kids & Teens — Local services in New York

I don't understand how this place is even in business, much less has 5 stars. When I read the promotional material, I thought this was a kids club and Cross Fit gym. Slightly strange concept, but I thought it was similar to the YMCA with a kids section and an adults section. Nope. This is an adults Cross Fit gym (think heavy weights, dangerous equipment) with ZERO modifications for kids. In addition to the safety concerns, I didn't even see toys or even a single piece of artwork for kids. It's a cross fit gym that also somehow is now a day care center?? What?

I took my kid to the Saturday Kids night out and within 5 minute of arriving, I see two kids climb a stack of wooden crates about 10 feet high and swing off on a rope swing. No adult supervision whatsoever. I'm not a helicopter parent but every bone in my body told me not to leave him there. But I did.

About two hours later I get a text that my kid was acting up. I honestly was relieved because I was having misgivings about the whole thing. I show up and although I didn't take a head count, I would say there were 20-30 very young kids sitting around a big TV with two very young looking counselors sitting behind a huge desk away from the kids. There's a huge garage style door that opens right to the street. I was horrified. Any of the kids could have run out at anytime and I walked in right off the street, so anyone had access to them.

Most gyms don't even allow people under 18 access, so it's really strange to me somehow this gym is running a random day care center. I asked my son why he had acted out and he said "there were no toys and no one played with me." It was all so bizarre. I had planned to send my son to after school there and the owner gave me a refund without to much trouble (but with a $50 "administrative fee" deducted), so I guess that was good but I don't get the concept of this...

Extremely disappointing customer service from this establishment. Had booked my child for full day but due to air quality scenario of wildfire week in NYC , I did not want him out and about all day like gantry kids had planned. Company refuses to offer credit or refund basically took our money with no apologies. Don’t support this business with this type of attitude in the community.

With respect to the business policies, it states very specifically that Gantry follows the NYC DOE Calendar, in interest of safety all programs are cancelled when the DOE closes schools due to unsafe conditions. Last Friday NYC DOE closed schools and moved to remote learning because of the air quality. The owner can sit on their high horse and claim small business and staying in business, but don't tell me about your policies. We did not ask for only a refund, but a credit, which you refused. We would have been happy to support you if you had compassion to an atypical situation. If a child was an asthmatic would you have asked them to put on a mask and go out with your group? You inflexibility is where customer service lacks, as well as your disregard for your own policies. In addition NYC Health + Hospitals also issued an air quality advisory to limit outdoor activity on the date...

My daughter loves Gantry Kids. She's spent a few weeks with them for Summer Camps each year and always asks to go back. We love that they get the kids outdoors and active all day visiting local parks (and some further away) as well as provide a real focus on fitness and an introduction to a gym. They also partner with other local community businesses and organizations and the kids really get a sense of helping your local community. The kids get to make their own sandwich or smoothie at Little Chef Little Cafe or help out with planting at Connected Chef (my daughter took me back there to proudly show me what she had planted). She also loves Kids Night Out, as do we as we get a night out! Michelle and the coaches are great with the kids. They clearly care about them and look after them but also give them the space and independence to work things out...