Tri-County Ymca Of The Ozarks

A very entitled gymnastics family with Forge Gymnastics! From sitting in the middle of walk ways to do hair and make up.. to one person saving 11 of the best seats (and leaving some empty!) these people sure do seem oblivious.

On January 5th, between approximately 9:00 and 11:00 a.m., I witnessed a deeply concerning situation in the weight room. A grandmother left her three grandchildren unattended, which is not allowed. Two of the children, who appeared to be around 8 years old, were using weight machines without adult supervision. While these two young girls were working out, an adult male—an older, thin, balding white man—approached them and began assisting them very closely, bending over them and adjusting the weights. Because of how close he was getting, I asked if he was related to them. He stated that he was a friend of their grandmother. When I later asked the children, they told me they were visiting their grandparents from out of town. It was clear they did not know this man well. The interaction made me extremely uncomfortable. The man began asking the girls personal questions, including whether they do gymnastics and then whether they do dance. This struck me as inappropriate, especially given that he did not know them and that they were young, unattended children. Meanwhile, the third child, a boy who appeared to be around 11 years old, was completely ignored. He walked off to work out on his own while still unattended, while the man remained focused on the two girls. This situation raised serious alarm bells—not just for me, but for multiple people working out nearby. I was not the only person who questioned what his relationship to the children was. Children being left alone in the weight room creates the perfect opportunity for a person to insert himself under the guise of “helping.” There are cameras throughout the facility, so it should have been obvious that minors were in the weight room without supervision. This situation should have been addressed immediately by staff. Additionally, dress code enforcement needs to apply to children as well as adults. One of the girls was wearing pants that were see-through, with her underwear clearly visible, which should not be allowed in a public gym environment. This was beyond disturbing to witness. The YMCA must do a better job enforcing its rule that children may not be left unattended by parents or grandparents. These rules exist to protect kids, and when they are not enforced, children are put at risk. Child safety should be taken seriously at all times.

Been a member for probably 15-20 years and what should be a very vibrant and clean YMCA is a full blown disaster. The weight room is embarrassing with ripped up and torn up carpet, dated equipment and really dirty. It’s gotten so bad I joined another gym because it’s so disgusting. The place has never been busier and literally nothing has been done about the ripped and shredded carpet but they can afford three pickle ball nets which are usually full so kids can’t even go and shoot baskets in the gym.

The best thing to ever happen to your YMCA was Sonja. You couldn't afford to pay her so you got rid of her. The one person who LOVED children and went above and beyond to make sure each child felt safe and loved and had a blast... For the first time in a long time it felt like the YMCA cared about children and made sure their child care program fit that narrative. When will this place get their priorities straight? Kids should be your #1 but it's more like your last. Also, how is this YMCA so poor? You have so many people going here and it's clear you don't put the money back into the place. Something doesn't smell right!!!

My child has been doing gymnastics at the YMCA for multiple years. They recently started enforcing a rule (that they have apparently always had?) that parents cannot stay and watch their child during their gymnastics class. They just have to wait outside in their car while their child is unsupervised in the YMCA. There reasoning is that it creates a distraction for the kids in the class... um, ok? Then why did they build that giant penalty box for everyone to sit and view the classes? There are so many holes in this ideology.