A Google User
May 29, 2018 23:13
I've lived in SA for 20+ years, this gym was a part of the landscape in my daily commute back in 1996. That stability speaks volumes about the quality, staff, and their leadership. Fast forward to 2017- I researched gymnastic camps, I chose Sunburst. I was glad to be back in my old 'hood to take my son, it was totally worth the extra commute. Though my son has very little gym experience, I wanted to avoid the cookie cutter gymnastics franchise/daycare setting where they may also offer karate, and the instructors learn to teach karate by DVD(true story). I wanted quality instructional time. We got that! It took awhile for my son to feel comfortable in the small group, so he basically had his own instructor for the first day or 2. The staff members were very nice and accommodating! Day 3 my son was more comfortable to practice and play amongst the other children, yay! On Day 3 he was horsing around with a little girl and her cousin(regulars@Sunburst)in the gym with adult supervision and other children their age. Little girl was sitting on a beam,my 6 yr old innocently/playfully poked her in the bellybutton. Not sure if her midriff was showing, not sure if they were tickling, but..
kids are expected to play. They're all around the same age, she's sitting, he aimed to poke her belly button, his aim was off and he accidentally poked her in an area we all teach our children is "off limits". Once. Not continuously. They were NOT in a secluded area or tucked away in the corner of the gym. Understandably the little girl and her cousin immediately went together and told an adult in charge. I got a precautionary call, it was decided that he didn't do it intentionally. I appreciated the professionalism. I later became mortified. The little girl's father accused Sunburst of allowing little boys to "touch" girls. The father told them if they didn't make my son leave camp, he would picket outside so everybody would know that Sunburst allows inappropriate touching. I am sure he eventually threatened a civil suit. We were the new outsiders, they were the regulars; now my 6 yr old is a pervert who fondled this dudes daughter and the cousin is her witness...awesome. Nathan and the coaches all agreed that the incident was taken out of context, it was an innocent mistake. They were SO NICE. I still felt horrible, my son was humiliated, and was VERY apologetic. My son did not return for the duration of the camp. We've taught and lectured our son about keeping hands to himself, but horseplay and silly behaviors are to be expected at age 6, right? SO, when you read the review that includes the most horrific accusations, this is the(very long and detailed)other side of the story. Nathan, Sunburst, and the coaches ARE GOOD PEOPLE.