“I want them to give us more time to go in the pit”

I enjoy the variety of group classes.

Annalisa had fun each day & learned so much!

VERY likely!

It was a great experience, she made a lot of friends and she learned some skills.

I think it’s a great program the kids have so much fun. I brag about it to everyone and I even got 5 other kids to join this summer

Alexandra says "Not have the Hillside kids bother us at lunch"

Unless you can walk or bike to this camp, I do not recommend it. The lack of parking and the inability to leave the location make drop off and pick up a horrible experience.

My only comment is Friday pickups are AWFUL. The performances are nice but we have to work and having to take an hour plus for pick up is extremely difficult, not to mention the parking situation is also a nightmare. Otherwise we love it - counselors are always wonderful.

Some good and some not so great aspects of this YMCA. We go to all of ones we have in the Metro North because we have two busy kids. Saugus has a nice $5 gymnastics hour on sundays. The gym is great and so are the adult classes. We were pretty disappointed with the outdoor pool during summer. They had promoted a Free Fridays and no one knew what we’re talking about when we got there. It was packed and we couldn’t get it anyways. It isn’t heated so can be pretty chilly when you do get in. It is a good resource in the area but yeah outdoor pool could be better.

The Y is well staffed, offers a variety of programs, is up-to-date equipment wise and very clean.

Please add the ability to request kids be in groups with friends, as other camps do (within same age group).

The campers were well cared for, had great stories at the end of the day and the lead camp organizer was beyond helpful, communicative and always present at pick up and drop off.

My daughter has been at camp Hillside 3 years in a row for 1 or 2 weeks each summer and usually rates it as her lowest camp experience

I liked that I felt safe sending him there.

I'm an anxiety ridden parent. So I totally freaked when them and their belongings came home absolutely filthy. Their backpacks and lunch boxes literally looked like they were pulled through mud every single day. Other things that were in their bags constantly went missing for a couple days at a time. They had fun, so I'm glad but as first time campers , I wish I would have been told wear old clothes, bring items you don't care about.

Pick up and drop off was a dream. Super organized and went so quick.

My daughter absolutely loved her time at the YMCA Hillside camp. She came home so dirty and happy every day, exhilarated from playing in the woods and on the big rock. Typically a shy kid, she always had fun things to say about the kids she played with that day. We'll be back next year!

The counselors memory of Jeremiah’s name everyday was impressive! And, Jeremiah had a blast. He looked forward to camp everyday.

Strength of programming could be better. Inconsistent schedule of planned activities. Counselor awareness is less than expected

L0ve the zumba, stay fit, tone classes!

Would love to see more classes of barre and Pilates .. also when teacher can’t make class wouldn’t w if they could find a sub .. happens a lot for the Thursday 8 am class

Friendly staff, clean facility

Great classes, great leaders

Class selection, people, instructors, parking are great!

Love Jenny Vasquez’s Zumba class!

All staff are always willing to assist with equipment, schedules, classes and on-line training and services. I’m not on Facebook but I always recommend the Y for the wide variety of classes & excellent instructors!

Good communication. Great dropoff procedure. Kids love the counselors. My only feedback is a some more formal programming during rain days in the gym. Son was very overstimulated and then later bored and asked me to pick him up early. If possible with counselor staffing and space, it would be great to set up some different stations during rain days. For instance, perhaps some kids would like to go somewhere more quiet and read and chill. Some would like to be more active in the gym. Is there an opportunity to purchase supplies for a group game like bingo, etc.? Maybe team trivia.

Clean, friendly, not crowded

The swim instructors are attentive and actively help kids improve their swimming abilities.

Unsure: my daughter just didn't want to go back.

Never crowded

I would like it more if there was a sauna

My son enjoys the camp. Lots of fun activities to do.

Staff were very friendly and helpful. Stella says she loves playing on the beams :)

Everything is great for me, organized, structured, nice employees, clean.

Great selection of classes and the access to three other branches provides even more options.

My son has so much fun with all his friends and the camp counselors do a great job with the activities.

Very clean and easy parking. Also Francine at the desk is an asset to the Y with her smile,kindness, professionalism.

Class, picklball

Everyone is very friendly

Stay fit class is wonderful but the space is too small to accommodate the size of the class. Many times i am unable to sign up for the class as it can only accommodate a certain amount of people.
Please move this class back to the gym asap.

incredible staff who genuinely care and set an excellent example. so many activities that boredom is an impossibility.

Excellent, amazing!

He really enjoyed the outside obstacle course and the foam pit inside.

We loved it! Our only regret is not signing up for longer - will definitely change that for next year!

Everyone is amazing. Ms Jess and Megan are awesome!!

Camp staff do an excellent job of making my son feel like a valued camper.

Because my son loves going to summer camp every day, I know he's happy—and that's what matters most to me!

Would prefer the groupings be based on grade vs pure age so kids could be with their classmates. Also that it only goes until 3 is a challenge for working parents because pick up is effectively at 2:30. Otherwise I think the program seems orderly and I think she had fun.

My child was told to wear a life vest in 3ft in the pool. He is 4.4 and he was tested and was able to use the "deep end" at the Melrose location. I'm not sure what the swim test in Saugus looks like, but I believe my child would have been able to pass at another location. I do understand the concerns for safety, but honestly, my child is able to swim and should be able to retry the test. He was told he can only test once a week so the opportunity for the whole week is gone