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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic Disease: Take Control of Your Diabetes! 1:00 pm Chronic Disease: Take Control of Your Diabetes! @ Old Bridge Family YMCA Nov 5 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm  TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH: DIABETES Do You Have Diabetes or Prediabetes? We are partnered with Hackensack Meridian to bring you this educational program to help you take control of your health. If you have Diabetes or Pre-Diabetes, this FREE Program will teach you everything you need to know from meal planning to the importance [...] S’mores with Santa 2:00 pm S’mores with Santa @ YMCA Camp Zehnder Nov 5 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm  S’MORES WITH SANTA CELEBRATE the spirit of the holidays at YMCA Camp Zehnder. JOIN US for s’mores, photos & festive family fun! SUN. DEC. 7 » 2-4 P.M. Register TODAY! | ||||||
| Parents Night Out | Camp Zehnder 6:00 pm Parents Night Out | Camp Zehnder @ Camp Zehnder Nov 14 @ 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! September | Parents Night Out October | Parents Night Out November | Parents Night Out December | Parents Night Out | Turkey Trot & Tiptoe | YMCA Camp Zehnder 9:00 am Turkey Trot & Tiptoe | YMCA Camp Zehnder @ 3911 Herbertsville Road, Wall, NJ Nov 15 @ 9:00 am  Kid’s Turkey Trot and Tiptoe Enjoy a brisk trot (and maybe spot a turkey) through beautiful Camp Zehnder. Little ones can tiptoe through the turkey fields in their own race. There will be a small run for the littlest kids, and older kids will run through camp, then enjoy turkey-themed crafts and games. Saturday, November [...] | |||||
| Teen Nights at Camp Zehnder 6:00 pm Teen Nights at Camp Zehnder @ Camp Zehnder Nov 21 @ 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, [...] | Make A Wreath at Camp Zehnder 1:00 pm Make A Wreath at Camp Zehnder @ Camp Zehnder Nov 22 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm  MAKE A WREATH AT CAMP ZEHNDER Make your own Holiday wreath with fresh greens and learn how to decorate including how to make a florist’s bow. Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while your create your masterpiece. Saturday | November 22, 2025 1:00-3:00 P.M. YMCA Camp Zehnder Register Now | |||||
