The Cameron Family YMCA

I gave 1 star for the kid pool area… But good luck getting in if you are not a member and be prepared for a total lack of organization and/​or customer awareness! The staff is very inexperienced when it comes to customer service and there doesn’t seem to be any form of management or oversight. I tried to go to the pool with my three little kids today. Check out this story… The first problem was the hours on the website were incorrect… I asked a few of the staff members — one told me, «you probably were looking at the wrong Y calendar online,» and then another kid said to me, «yeah we really haven’t figured out the Internet thing!» (I was pissed then — but the internet comment just makes me chuckle now!) So, let me continue, instead of thirty minutes early — we were an hour early… Three little kids and an hour wait out in the 100 degree Santee inferno! So… After packing up the three kids and making the trek — we could not just leave… So we waited. and waited. and waited. I am pretty sure my 4 yr old started to demonstrate the symptoms of heat stroke! Then after about an hour — a young life guard come out in fashionable shades… A lady asked if they were going to open the pool, he says, «don’t hold your breath!» Apparently someone went potty in the pool. That is just great! So, I went in and asked someone at the desk if they were going to open the pool or not… He said, «I can’t really say for sure?» And then, «Why don’t I take down your number and I can call you if we happen to open!» Ha! That is just awesome — I can drive around or go sit at McDonalds with three little kids all lubed up with suntan lotion, after waiting an hour,
and patiently wait for a possible call from the Y!!! Epic!
All in all — just a total joke! So, if you make it in… You will probably have fun… But you have been thoroughly warned! Take a lot of snacks and water and have a back-​up plan!

I’m very disappointed in this company. It’s saddening to have them ban members on false charges, but alas, they have an image to uphold. Unfortunately, they have gotten in trouble with this in the past with a recent occurrence of laying off «white employees» on the sole basis of their skin color to make their company «look» more diverse. I see now that their ideals of «honesty, caring and respect» have flown out the window. I highly suggest that if you go there to just take a look at the higher ups and realize their agendas. Oh? What’s that? Banning members for wearing shorts too short? Hm, could be a jealousy thing but I’ll be over here minding my own business.
There’s more to this glass menagerie, but they’ll defend themselves to the grave. See to it that you put your money elsewhere, Chuze has a higher regard for their members.

I can’t believe adults use the equipment sweat all over it for an hour then walk away without cleaning their nasty sweat off. I suggest wiping it off before you use it. This place is dirty and gross. There are signs saying please wipe the equipment down after use but people who go here don’t have a common courtesy.

Good place for group swimming lessons. Just know that if you sign up for private lessons the instructor doesn’t get any of the $ 110/​$ 140 you pay for the 4 lessons. Kind of a bummer especially since the ymca is supposed to be a non-​profit. The prices went up too so thats also a bummer.

We have been family members here for 5 years. The gym is well equipped and rarely over crowded. The pool is large with many available swim lanes, a fun kids playground and swim area. The staff is very helpful and friendly. I took off a star because of the child watch program and gymnastics viewing area. The child watch area is small and due for a remodel, upgrade of toys and activities, and needs an outdoor playground. The gymnastics viewing area is very crowded and hard to view comfortably.

I love the Y. Excellent programs for young kids (our oldest is 2 ½). The fact that there are free classes makes the membership totally worth it. The child watch is great the staff really cares about the kids and interact well with them too. I really like the gym. Not too fancy but good equipment and not as crowded as lots of gyms. I was concerned because it’s kind of small but no issues yet. The group exercise classes are also well ran and the trainers do a great job making the classes challenging. The interactive pool is a lot of fun. I wish their hours were better and that it was open year round, but oh well. Only complaint are the locker rooms would benefit from a face lift, but I just don’t really use them. We definitely get our money out of our membership.

I am writing to express my disappointment in what I was told and what actually transpired for me. Yes, I applied for financial assistance to join/​mo fee, so this review is based on my experience with this only. When I did a tour of the YMCA in Santee, I was told that they never turn any one away for financial reasons. That gave me hope, because my financial situation is not good. I was told to apply and someone would contact me within 3 – 5 days. They never contacted me, so I called them. They only agreed to take off 10% of the joining fee and monthly fee. I told them I still could not afford that. What happened to your motto as I was told, «that you do not turn turn anyone away for financial ability?» I was told that the person who told me that should not have said that. So, if you try to join with hopes of being approved for a much lower monthly fee NO MATTER WHAT, you will be discouraged like I am. Not happy, feel like I was lied to! Should have known it was too good to be true!
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I go there every day. Prices are good. The people who do the kids club are great. My kids love them. I would like if they had a sauna though. I miss that about my old gym.

Disclaimer: this review is ONLY for birthday parties at the Y.
My six year old wanted a birthday party at the Y, so we booked a «silver» package. My first choice had been the «gold» (or was it platinum?) package, but they did not have any openings on the day that we wanted to hold the party. Pool parties at the Y during the summer are at a premium so plan early! The silver package came with 25 wrist bands, but that was about it.
You are allowed to set up camp on the grass just outside the YMCA, but be aware that if there are other parties that day, you will need to get there early to stake out a place. We got there a half hour before our party because we were under the impression that we were the only party there that day, and as it turns out another party had gotten there before us and taken up two out of the three tables there. The YMCA will store your cake, and they will give you wristbands, but beyond that it is very laissez faire. You do NOT have a dedicated party host like some other places that hold birthday parties, so you will have to stand in line if you have any questions or requests about your party (such as hey, can I get my cake back from your fridge?). Also, you HAVE to let them know exactly how many people will be at your party the day before, so if you have any more people come at the last minute it’s a big hassle. Bring cash if you expect that to happen, or just pay for extra wristbands ahead of time knowing that there is a possibility you’ll have extra wristbands and no refunds.
Also, one other things… your time in the pool can be impacted by other people who are there. Namely, our party was scheduled between 12:30 and 3:30, so the kids were expecting close to a full three hours of pool time. Around 2:30 or so, a little kid had a poop accident in the pool, and everybody had to come out of the pool for about 40 minutes so that the pool could be cleaned and decontaminated. I’m glad they clean the pool, but I wonder if there could be requirements for swim diapers or something else that could help with that. They have already instituted mandatory potty breaks every hour or so.
Ultimately all my guests had a lot of fun, so the party was a success. There were just a few annoyances that I could have done without.

To begin I signed up for financial assistance with membership fees here and the staff was so nice! I felt very welcome and not looked down upon at all. It felt amazing to be treated like everyone else as compared to some places who treat you poorly for needing assistance. I’ve been here 2 times with my 1, 3, and 6 year old boys. We used the interactive pool (water park) and the family changing room. The restrooms are very clean. The staff is very attentative at the front desk. The boys and I had a blast of course! The pool goes from 1″ of water to about 2 ½’ deep in the water slide area. There is a 3′ deep pool connected but seperated by a rope as well as a 4′-5′ pool for older kids and adults. They have a really tall water slide as well for adults and older kids. There are lots of life guards watching closely and dont hesitate to get in the water and enforce the rules.

Love this gym good staff

I love this place! As a husband and dad of two little girls, YMCA in Santee allows me to work out and still provide fun things for my girls to do.
I especially am thankful for the staff. I have been training for a triathlon and swimming is my weakness. Every morning I swim, a lifeguard named Lisa always gives me tips and seems to really care about me getting better. I truly appreciate it. Thanks YMCA!

I LOVE coming to this gym!!! Tried 24 hr fitness in Santee and jesus does that place smell gross… YMCA is always clean! Machines always work, everybody is super friendly (including the other members!). The pool is a dream! Huge and heated :] I’ve only had one bad experience here and it was with a super rude zumba instructor, Tina. The management handled the issue so superbly though, I couldn’t even knock a star off for the incident. It’s easy to keep coming here regularly. They even run motivational events like the Frequent Y’er promo. Love love love this gym!

Great, clean gym with a good amount of machines and free weights. All the staff there is so friendly and helpful! The child watch is awesome and the staff are great with my kids. :)

I went in yesterday at 3pm with the kids, didn’t realize that kids care room was closed. As I was leaving, the operations manager came out and told me that she would have someone watch the kids while I worked out. Very thoughtful, I left a happy man. Awesome customer service, hugely appreciated.

GREAT GYM!
I always assumed the «Y» (as it’s affectionately known) was a place for geriatrics unafraid to meander in the locker room totally nude and soccer moms who hog all the cardio equipment…
I’m not admitting I was wrong with my assumptions, I’m simply saying this «Y» is much, much better than I expected.
First and foremost, the gym is extremely clean with a 55% cardio to 45% weight lifting equipment ratio (all of which is very, very new).
Second, the staff is extremely friendly :)
Third, the pool is heated and the life guards are happy to help you get into a lane if the pool is busy.
Last but not least, the caliber of people you end up working out alongside are great. They are polite, friendly, and always appear to be upstanding folks. I’m never concerned that my wife is going to get hit-​on or stared at while working out because those kind of folks workout elsewhere.
So if you’re looking for a great gym with an awesome atmosphere you have found it. Now just do what I do and never look down or around in the locker room and you won’t have any issues! :)

Came to this gym recently from Chuze in Santee. Much happier here.
For one, I am a single father of an 8 year old girl, and the programs they offer for kids are top notch. I also much rather work out here. The weight area is pretty nice, plenty of barbells and dumbells, and it’s not full of groups of young guys hanging out instead of working out. It is rather pricey compared to other big gyms in the area, but that also makes the customer base a little older and laid back.
And then there is the pool. I drove my daughter by the place and the huge water slide got both of our attention. The pool gets crowded during hot weekends because it is open to the public as well, but it’s not too crazy.
Sadly, I am moving from Santee to La Mesa in a few weeks, but not to worry, the basic membership includes the La Mesa Y, the Santee and the Rancho San Diego as well.

Being a Santee native i have always heard good things about the open swim at the Y. I took the kids here for the first time to swim in the playground pool & water slide, Im glad we tried it out! What a fun Sunday. My 3 kids, ages 3, 5 and 7 had a blast! Very accommodating for all 3 ages.

If you are a swimmer, you’ll love this pool. The pool is clean and the saltwater system is great if you suffer from allergies like me. I love the temperature and it’s not too busy.
The staff is friendly and kind. Cody at the front desk is the best.

I love this place. As a former gymnast, I love going to work out on those brand new machines and watching the gymnastic classes. So much fun!
The new treadmills are great. Yesterday I ran through Australia while listening to some great tunes. I used the space in the back for stretching as well.