At the YMCA, nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of the children in our care. We are committed to providing a secure and nurturing environment where every child can learn, grow, and thrive. Read about our recent youth safety accreditations.
Our Commitment to Safety
We follow the highest standards in child protection and safety. Our staff and volunteers are trained to recognize, prevent, and respond to all forms of child abuse and misconduct.
- Zero Tolerance Policy
The YMCA maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any form of abuse, bullying, or inappropriate behavior. Every concern is taken seriously and addressed promptly. - Comprehensive Staff Training
All YMCA staff and volunteers undergo extensive background checks and are required to complete annual training in child abuse prevention, CPR, first aid, and emergency response protocols. All YMCA staff working directly with children in our licensed programs are also finger-printed. - Safe Spaces and Supervision
Our programs are designed to prioritize proper supervision, secure environments, and age-appropriate activities. We enforce strict check-in/check-out procedures and limit one-on-one interactions between staff and children. - Reporting and Accountability
We encourage open communication and transparency. All staff, volunteers are trained to be mandated reporter, while parents, and children are also urged to report any concerns immediately. Reports can be made to YMCA leadership or through our anonymous reporting systems.
Partnering With Families
We believe safety is a shared responsibility. The YMCA works closely with parents and guardians to keep children safe. We provide resources and information to help families talk to their children about personal safety and boundaries.
Praesidium Accreditation
As a leading youth-serving organization with a presence in more than 10,000 communities, the Y’s greatest responsibility is to protect the millions of young people in our care from sexual abuse. We prevent abuse when we create a culture of safety in our facilities and programs, and our most effective tool for this is Praesidium Accreditation®. Praesidium Accreditation is an evidence-based process that helps organizations systematically measure the effectiveness of their prevention programs and then take steps to achieve the highest standards in abuse prevention. Accreditation assists an organization with strengthening their abuse prevention practices and helps demonstrate a Y’s safety commitment to members, parents, and the community. You can view the Presidium recommended reading list to learn more.
ACA Accreditation for Camps
YMCA branch day camps in Old Bridge, Freehold and Red Bank, and YMCA Camp Zehnder in Wall are all accredited by the American Camp Association, meeting high standards on health, safety, and risk management. The standards establish guidelines for needed policies, procedures, and practices, and is used as a benchmark by government entities, providing public evidence of a camp’s commitment to the well-being of camper and staff members. View our Abuse Prevention information for parents and guardians.
Safe Sport recognition for Greater Monmouth Swim Team
The Greater Monmouth Y Swim Team is recognized with the USA Swimming Safe Sport Club achievement, demonstrating a commitment to creating a healthy and positive environment free from abuse for all its members through the development and implementation of club governance measures, Safe Sport policies and reporting mechanisms, Safe Sport best practices and training to athletes and parents.
To enhance the safety and security of everyone in our facilities, the YMCA utilizes Raptor Technologies, a trusted visitor management system used in schools and youth organizations nationwide. All visitors are required to check in with a valid government-issued ID, which is instantly screened against national sex offender databases. This extra layer of protection helps us ensure that everyone who enters our YMCA is authorized and safe to be around children. It’s just one more way we’re putting safety first—every day, for every child. For more information, visit ymcanj.org/safety
If you see or experience something that doesn’t feel right, we encourage you to speak up.
View our Anonymous Safety Hotline for contact information.
Your voice matters. Your report can make a difference.
Event Calendar
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bring a Friend to the Y | Free Member Guest Day Pay the Day | January Promotion Pay the Day | January Promotion Jan 1 – Jan 31 all-day  The Sooner You Join, The More You Save! Don’t wait to start your wellness journey—sign up this month and your joiner fee equals the day of the month you join. Become a member at our Freehold, Old Bridge, Red Bank or Ocean County in Toms River, NJ branches this January and your membership fee equals [...] | ||||||
| Family Movie Night | Freehold Family YMCA 6:00 pm Family Movie Night | Freehold Family YMCA Jan 9 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm  Lights, camera, family fun! Join us on Friday, Jan. 9 from 6-8 P.M. at the Freehold Family YMCA for Family Movie Night—a cozy evening perfect for all ages. Bring the kids, grab a blanket, and enjoy a movie together at the Y! Register today https://bit.ly/4qkFXMl Parents Night Out | Camp Zehnder 6:00 pm Parents Night Out | Camp Zehnder @ Camp Zehnder Jan 9 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm  Drop the kids off for a night of fun, so you can shop till you drop and get it all done! We will have games, crafts, and science experiments, and LOTS of fun! REGISTER NOW! January | Parents Night Out February | Parents Night Out March | Parents Night Out April | Parents Night Out [...] | Camp Zehnder Open House 11:00 am Camp Zehnder Open House @ Camp Zehnder Jan 10 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm  KIDS ARE IN FOR ADVENTURE AT YMCA CAMP ZEHNDER! Visit our open house! Camp Zehnder is an ACA Accredited summer camp where kids 3-15 explore nature, discover new talents, try new activities and make lasting friendships at this beautiful camp on 140 acres with an outdoor aquatics complex, KaBoom! Open House Dates Sat., Jan. 10, [...] | |||||
| Teen Nights at Camp Zehnder 6:00 pm Teen Nights at Camp Zehnder @ Camp Zehnder Jan 16 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm  TEEN NIGHTS AT CAMP ZEHNDER Get ready for an unforgettable night under the stars! Teen Nights at Camp Zehnder are the perfect way for teens to hang out with friends, make new connections, and enjoy all the fun the Y has to offer. From swimming and playing outdoor games to music, snacks, and campfire vibes, [...] | Teen Nights at the Red Bank Family YMCA! 7:00 pm Teen Nights at the Red Bank Family YMCA! @ Red Bank Family YMCA Jan 17 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm  TEEN NIGHTS AT RED BANK FAMILY YMCA JOIN US for YMCA Teen Night, a fun, safe, and social space for teens to relax, connect, and learn what the Red Bank YMCA has to offer! Enjoy open gym time, games, and pool activities. It’s a great way to spend Saturday nights with friends while staying engaged [...] | |||||
| January Open House 10:00 am January Open House @ Old Bridge, Red Bank & Freehold Jan 24 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm  Enjoy healthy fun and info on membership, summer camp, fitness, wellness, swim, child care, mental health, community events, and Y careers that strengthen lives. Membership Includes: > Personal Training Session > Unlimited aqua and land group fitness classes > State-of-the-art fitness equipment > Lap and family swim time > Full-court basketball gymnasiums with open gym time > Full access to three branches in Freehold, Old Bridge, [...] | ||||||
