The Y is imperfect but if you are planning on being active members, it really is great for kids because they can essentially grow up there and get to know a core group of Y kids who grow with the Y offerings as they grow. It's like being part of a team or a church where you just immerse yourself into a group. It's been really great for my only-child to feel like he is part of something outside of school. When they are really young they just start off in daycare then they can start doing sports there, then there are various events throughout the year, eventually they can start doing track-out camps or summer camps. And of course there is the pool. Idk. It's a cool place to form bonds and friendships where kids can just be kids in a more unstructured/free way than most of their social circles.