New Youth & Adult Programs

Fall & Winter

barre fusion

12 Yr Olds-Adults

Feel stronger and more energized with this total body workout! It’s an athletic approach to barre using a weighted bar and Pilates ball. This class will incorporate standing and mat work for toning upper and lower body, with deep core activation while challenging your balance and coordination. 

STARTS IN SEPTEMBER, 2025

  • Instructor: Stephani Hop
  • Day: Tue
  • Time: 8:00-8:45 AM
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation Fitness Studio

full body reset

12 Yr Olds-Adults

Take a break from your day and recharge with this low-impact, full-body workout designed to energize without leaving you drenched. In just 45 minutes, you’ll move through a series of strength, mobility, and core-focused exercises that build stability, improve posture, and boost circulation. Perfect for all fitness levels, this class keeps it light on the sweat but strong on results—so you can head back to your day feeling refreshed, not rushed or in need of a long shower.  

STARTS IN SEPTEMBER, 2025

  • Instructor: Erica Boerman
  • Day: Tue
  • Time: 12:15-1:00 PM
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation Fitness Studio

rise and lift

12 Yr Olds-Adults

Rise & Lift is a 45-minute full-body workout that blends targeted strength training with energizing cardio bursts to wake up your muscles and jump-start your day. Each session includes resistance circuits using dumbbells, bands, or bodyweight—paired with short, heart-pumping intervals to elevate your endurance without overwhelming your joints. It’s the perfect mix of challenge and support for early risers who want to build strength, boost stamina, and leave feeling strong and accomplished. All fitness levels welcome, with plenty of options to modify or progress.

STARTS IN SEPTEMBER, 2025

  • Instructor: Cara Hoffman
  • Day: Fri
  • Time: 6:05-6:50 AM
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation Fitness Studio

werq dance fitness class

12 Yr Olds-Adults

WERQ Dance Fitness is a pre-choreographed cardio dance workout class that combines popular pop and hip-hop music with athletic dance moves. It's a fun, energetic, and intense way to get a full-body workout, build cardiovascular endurance and to have a blast dancing! The class is designed to be inclusive and welcomes people of all fitness levels, with modifications available and no dance history necessary.

STARTS IN SEPTEMBER, 2025

  • Instructor: Tori McClure
  • Day: Mon
  • Time: 10:00-11:00 AM
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation Fitness Studio

silver striders performance group

60 Yr Olds+

Join the fun with the first-ever Silver Striders Performance Group, a dynamic group of adults 60 and better who love to move, laugh, and shine! In this energetic and social class, participants will learn simple, upbeat routines set to music, designed to be fun, low-impact, and performance-ready. No dance experience needed—just a willingness to have a good time and be part of a supportive team. We will meet to rehearse short choreographed routines, build camaraderie, and get ready to take to the streets in local parades and community events. Our performances will include appearances in the Pumpkinfest Parade and the Tulip Time Parade, and we may even dazzle audiences during halftime at a local high school athletic event. Come for the movement, stay for the friendships, and perform as a proud Silver Strider!

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $20 (includes t-shirt)
  • Instructor: Grace Spelde
  • Practices: Fridays | 10:00 AM | Sept 5, 12, 19, 26, Oct 3, May 1
  • Performances: Pumpkin Fest Parade - Sat, Oct 4 @ 3:00 PM | Tulip Time Parade - May 7, 8 or 9
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation Fitness Studio

GYMNASTICS

3-14 Yr Olds

Our gymnastics program empowers your child to build strength, flexibility, and body awareness! Each session includes rotating skill stations—balance beams, uneven bars, vault, and floor routines—to foster well-rounded development. Join us! Please note: all participants must be potty trained.

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Lead Instructors: Kari Lacny & Jillayne Zblewski
  • Age Descriptions: Scroll to bottom of page
  • Session 1: Sept 4-22 @ Adams Elementary Gym
    • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
    • Cost: $49r/$64nr
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Mon @ 6:10-7:00 PM | Sept 8, 15, 22
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Thur @ 6:10-7:00 PM | Sept 4, 11, 18
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Sat @ 9:00-9:50 AM | Sept 6, 13, 20
    • Beginners (5 Yrs+): Thur @ 7:00-7:50 PM | Sept 4, 11, 18
    • Beginners (5 Yrs+): Sat @ 10:00-10:50 AM | Sept 6, 13, 20
    • Intermediate & Advanced (5 Yrs+): Mon @ 7:00-7:50 PM | Sept 8, 15, 22
    • Intermediate & Advanced (5 Yrs+): Sat @ 11:00-11:50 AM | Sept 6, 13, 20
  • Session 2: Sept 27-Oct 23 @ Quincy Elementary Gym
    • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
    • Cost: $59r/$74nr
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Mon @ 6:10-7:00 PM | Sept 29, Oct 6, 13, 20
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Thur @ 6:10-7:00 PM | Oct 2, 9, 16, 23
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Sat @ 9:00-9:50 AM | Sept 27, Oct 4, 11, 18
    • Beginners (5 Yrs+): Thur @ 7:00-7:50 PM | Oct 2, 9, 13, 20
    • Beginners (5 Yrs+): Sat @ 10:00-10:50 AM | Sept 27, Oct 4, 11, 18
    • Intermediate & Advanced (5 Yrs+): Mon @ 7:00-7:50 PM | Sept 29, Oct 6, 13, 20
    • Intermediate & Advanced (5 Yrs+): Sat @ 11:00-11:50 AM | Sept 27, Oct 4, 11, 18
  • Session 3: Oct 25-Nov 20 @ New Groningen Elementary Gym 
    • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
    • Cost: $59r/$74nr
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Mon @ 6:10-7:00 PM | Oct 27, Nov 3, 10, 17
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Thur @ 6:10-7:00 PM | Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Sat @ 9:00-9:50 AM | Oct 25, Nov 1, 8 , 15
    • Beginners (5 Yrs+): Thur @ 7:00-7:50 PM | Oct 30, Nov 6, 13, 20
    • Beginners (5 Yrs+): Sat @ 10:00-10:50 AM | Oct 25, Nov 1, 8 , 15
    • Intermediate & Advanced (5 Yrs+): Mon @ 7:00-7:50 PM | Oct 27, Nov 3, 10, 17
    • Intermediate & Advanced (5 Yrs+): Sat @ 11:00-11:50 AM | Oct 25, Nov 1, 8 , 15
  • Session 4: Jan 5-31 @ Woodbridge Elementary Gym
    • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
    • Cost: $59r/$74nr
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Mon @ 6:10-7:00 PM | Jan 5, 12, 19, 26
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Thur @ 6:10-7:00 PM | Jan 8, 15, 22, 29
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Sat @ 9:00-9:50 AM | Jan 10, 17, 24, 31
    • Beginners (5 Yrs+): Thur @ 7:00-7:50 PM | Jan 8, 15, 22, 29
    • Beginners (5 Yrs+): Sat @ 10:00-10:50 AM | Jan 10, 17, 24, 31
    • Intermediate & Advanced (5 Yrs+): Mon @ 7:00-7:50 PM | Jan 5, 12, 19, 26
    • Intermediate & Advanced (5 Yrs+): Sat @ 11:00-11:50 AM | Jan 10, 17, 24, 31
  • Session 5: Feb 16-Mar 14 @ Roosevelt Elementary
    • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
    • Cost: $59r/$74nr
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Mon @ 6:10-7:00 PM | Feb 16, 23, Mar 2, 9
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Thur @ 6:10-7:00 PM | Feb 19, 26, Mar 5, 12
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): Sat @ 9:00-9:50 AM | Feb 21, 28, Mar 7, 14
    • Beginners (5 Yrs+): Thur @ 7:00-7:50 PM | Feb 19, 26, Mar 5, 12
    • Beginners (5 Yrs+): Sat @ 10:00-10:50 AM | Feb 21, 28, Mar 7, 14
    • Intermediate & Advanced (5 Yrs+): Mon @ 7:00-7:50 PM | Feb 16, 23, Mar 2, 9
    • Intermediate & Advanced (5 Yrs+): Sat @ 11:00-11:50 AM | Feb 21, 28, Mar 7, 14
  • Age Descriptions:
    • Tots (3 Yrs): Somersaults, jumping, balance, swinging 
    • Beginners (4-5 Yrs): Somersaults, cartwheels, jumping, balance, swinging
    • Beginners (6 Yrs+): Somersaults, cartwheels, jumping, balance, swinging
    • Intermediate (6 Yrs+ | Placement Based on Skill): Prior to the program, participants must be able to do cartwheels and bridges. During the program, participants will work on handstands, round-offs, high beam work, pullovers, hip circles
    • Advanced (6 Yrs+ | Placement Based on Skill): Prior to the program, participants must be able to do cartwheels, bridges, backbends, and be working on walkovers. During the program, participants will work on back and front walkovers, handsprings, aerials, squat-ons, straddle-throughs, balance beam dismounts, hip circles

ugly sourdough - it doesn't have to be pretty to taste good!

16 Yr Olds-Adults

Think sourdough must be crusty and Instagram-perfect to be delicious? In this beginner-friendly class, we toss that pressure aside and embrace “ugly” sourdough using a simple two-loaf pan method… no fancy tools, scoring, or shaping required. Whether you're brand new to sourdough or you've tried and failed before, this class is for you. You’ll be guided step‑by‑step through mixing, folding, fermenting, and baking, with easy‑to‑follow tips that make it all feel doable. By the end, you’ll go home with an active sourdough starter, two doughs resting in loaf pans for an overnight cold ferment, a printed guide with timelines and techniques, and the confidence to bake more imperfectly perfect treats like scones, focaccia, and sourdough cookies. Making good bread doesn’t have to be complicated and pretty… it just has to taste amazing. Let’s get messy, have fun, and bake some ugly, delicious sourdough together.

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Registration Deadline: Session 1 - Sept 6 | Session 2 - Oct 11
  • Cost: $90r/$105nr
  • Instructor: Michelle Nolander (Owner - Brood Dough + Co) 
  • Session 1: Sat, Sept 13 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
  • Session 2: Sat, Oct 18  | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
  • Location: Cityside Middle School - Room TBD

homeschool swim program

5-12 Yr Olds

Our NEW Homeschool Swim Program offers homeschool families the ideal blend of structured physical education and meaningful peer interaction. Each session begins with a 30-minute instructor-led lesson, where instructors work with groups sorted by swimming ability to teach foundational skills or refine advanced techniques. Afterward, children enjoy 30 minutes of supervised open swim, a relaxed opportunity to practice new skills, socialize with peers, and build confidence. This thoughtfully designed format addresses both physical fitness and essential water-safety awareness aligning perfectly with homeschool PE needs. Whether your child is just getting comfortable in the water or striving to polish stroke technique, our goal is to help every swimmer feel confident, competent, and safe.

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $88r/$103nr
  • Session 1: Mon | Sept 15-Oct 20 | 9:00-10:00 AM
  • Session 2: Mon | Sept 15-Oct 20 | 10:00-11:00 AM
  • Session 3: Mon | Nov 3-Dec 15 (skip Nov 24) | 9:00-10:00 AM 
  • Session 4 : Mon | Nov 3-Dec 15 (skip Nov 24) | 10:00-11:00 AM 
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation - East Pool

teen & adult swim lessons

13 Yrs-Adults

Learning to swim as a teen or adult can feel intimidating especially if you’ve never had the opportunity before or feel uncertain around water. This class is thoughtfully designed for ages 13 and up who are new to swimming or want to strengthen their basic skills in a supportive, judgment-free environment. We know that trying something new can feel like a big step, and our goal is to help you feel safe, empowered, and confident in the water. Lessons focus on building comfort and trust, starting with fundamentals like breathing, floating, and body position. As your confidence grows, you’ll begin learning beginner-level front and back strokes at a pace that feels right for you. Whether you’ve always wanted to learn or are ready to move past old fears, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $88r/$103nr
  • Sept 15-Oct 20: Mon | 5:50-6:20 PM
  • Nov 3-Dec 15 (Skip Nov 24): Mon | 5:50-6:20 PM
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation - East Pool

autumn cookie decorating

Parent-Child (5-8 Yrs) | Youth (9-16 Yrs) | Adults (17 Yrs+)

Join us for a cozy and creative Autumn Cookie Decorating Workshop! This beginner-friendly class will introduce you to the art of royal icing as you decorate a delightful set of fall-themed sugar cookies. You'll learn essential techniques like outlining, flooding, and adding charming seasonal details. Each participant and/or parent-child pair will leave with a dozen beautifully decorated cookies and the skills to recreate them at home. Please note: Cookies are prepared in a home kitchen not inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and contain wheat, eggs, dairy, and almond. Come celebrate the season with sweets, creativity, and fun!

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Registration Deadline: Sat, Sept 6 (or when full)
  • Cost: $50r/$65nr
  • Instructor: Jen Meyering (Owner - One Smart Cookie) 
  • Parent & Child (5-8 Yrs + Guardian): Sat, Sept 20 | 10:00-11:30 AM
  • Youth (9-16 Yrs): Sat, Sept 20 | 1:00-2:30 PM
  • Adults (17 Yrs-Adults): Sat, Sept 20 | 3:30-5:00 PM
  • Location: New Groningen Elementary School - Cafeteria

birthday pool party packages

All Ages

Make a splash with a birthday bash at Zeeland Rec! Our birthday pool party packages are the perfect way to throw a fun, easy, and unforgettable celebration for your child and their guests. Start the party with 90 minutes in your own private party space, then jump into the pool for some serious H2Oh-yeah fun! We take care of the setup, cleanup, and all the little details, so you can focus on making memories. Just bring the cake, the goodies, and the guests. We’ll handle the rest! 

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Registration Deadline: Two weeks prior to event date
  • Cost: $325 (Max 25 guests)
  • Sat, Sept 20: 12:00-3:30 PM
  • Sat, Oct 18: 12:00-3:30 PM
  • Sat, Nov 15: 12:00-3:30 PM
  • Sat, Dec 13: 12:00-3:30 PM
  • Sat, Jan 17: 12:00-3:30 PM
  • Sat, Feb 21: 12:00-3:30 PM
  • Sat, Mar 21: 12:00-3:30 PM
  • Sat, Apr 18: 12:00-3:30 PM
  • Sat, May 16: 12:00-3:30 PM
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation Pools, Cityside MS ELA Room
  • Additional Details:
    • Max of 25 guests per reservation
    • Total time is 3.5 hours (90 min in party room followed by 2 hrs of swim time)
    • All standard pool rules remain in effect during your rental (HERE)
    • Outside food and drinks are welcome (alcoholic beverages are not permitted)
    • Birthday-themed decorations are provided (plates, cups, napkins, tablecloth, and balloons)
    • Setup and cleanup handled by our staff
    • Certified lifeguards are on duty during swim time
    • Patrons must be at least 18 years old to purchase a package
    • Party slots fill quickly, so book early to secure your preferred date!

"i went the distance" challenge

12 Yr Olds-Adults

It’s time to stretch your boundaries and chart your progress with our “I Went the Distance” challenge! Walk, run, bike, or swim—every mile inches you toward your goal. Pick your route from the options below, and log miles as you journey virtually from Zeeland to iconic destinations. Complete your distance all at once or in installments, wherever you like - Zeeland Rec, at home, or beyond. Track your miles, share your milestones, and get a shot at prizes… all while getting in great shape! Everyone who completes a distance is entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card to Zeeland Rec. Plus, the top distance champ will earn an extra $25 gift card to the store of their choice!

Distances: 

  • 25 miles: Zeeland to Grand Rapids
  • 63 miles: Zeeland to Kalamazoo
  • 94 miles: Zeeland to South Bend, IN
  • 156 miles: Zeeland to Chicago, IL
  • 176 miles: Zeeland to Detroit
  • 384 miles: Zeeland to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
  • 570 miles: Zeeland to Copper Harbor (Top of the U.P.)

Program Details:

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, Sept 22
  • Cost: $13
  • Dates: Oct 1-31
  • Location: Zeeland Rec, home, or beyond

free family cooking class - snack edition!

School-Aged Kids & Their Families

Join us for a fun and interactive family cooking and nutrition class where healthy snacking takes center stage! In this engaging session, families will learn simple, nutritious snacking tips while creating delicious, no-bake energy bites together. Discover the benefits of wholesome ingredients, explore creative snack ideas, and enjoy hands-on fun as you mix, roll, and taste your way to healthier habits.

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Registration Deadline: Sat, Sept 27
  • Cost: FREE - registration still required
  • Instructor: Heidi Lynema (Corewell Health Dietitian & CATCH Instructor)
  • Date: Thur, Oct 2
  • Time: 6:30-8:00 PM
  • Location: Cityside MS - Room 135

learn to love quilting - quilting workshop for beginners

16 Yrs-Adults

Dive into the art of quilting with our three-session workshop, designed for beginners comfortable sewing a precise ¼‑inch seam. Quilting is both calming and creative, requiring patience, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn. During the course, you’ll master essential skills—rotary cutting, piecing blocks, pressing seams, and assembling your quilt top—leaving with a beautiful quilt top you can proudly continue at home. We provide brand‑new sewing machines and supportive instruction; participants only need to bring three separate yards of coordinating 100% cotton fabric (one yard each). If you're ready to build confidence, craftsmanship, and community—one stitch at a time—this workshop is perfect for you!

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, Sept 29
  • Cost: $87r/$102nr
  • Instructor: Julie Blakely 
  • Date: Tue | Oct 7, 14, 28
  • Time: 5:30-8:00 PM

  • Location: City on a Hill (100 Pine St - STE 123)

halloween science madness

5 Yr Olds-8th Gr

Join us for this one-day Halloween Science Madness, where costumes meet chemistry! Come dressed in your favorite costume and prepare for a thrilling, hands-on adventure in spooky science. We’ll dive into spooky, spectacular science experiments with our very own mad scientist, Mr. Brad Stevens. It’ll be a frightfully fun, educational experience that promises laughter, learning, and a little bit of Halloween magic!

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $25r/$40nr
  • Instructor: Brad Stevens (ZPS Science Teacher)
  • 5 Yr Olds-1st Gr: Sat, Oct 25 | 8:00-9:00 AM
  • 2nd-3rd Gr: Sat, Oct 25 | 9:30-11:00 AM
  • 4th-5th Gr: Sat, Oct 25 | 11:30 AM-1:00 PM 
  • 6th-8th Gr: Sat, Oct 25 | 1:30-3:00 PM

  • Location: Zeeland West HS - Room J125

forever young - seniors prom for 60 yrs+

60 Yr Olds+

Step back in time and relive the magic of prom night at our first-ever Senior Prom, specially designed for ages 60 and up! This evening will feature timeless music, dancing, instructor-led dance lessons, bingo, and light desserts in a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you come solo, with a partner, or as part of a group, you’ll mingle with friendly faces, enjoy classic tunes, and make new friends. Dress to impress, bring your best moves, and get ready to make memories! 

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Group Registration: To register as a group of 10 or more people, call (616) 748-3230
  • Cost: $20 per person | $15 per person when registering a group of 10 or more
  • Date: Sat, Nov 1
  • Time: 6:30pm-8:30 PM
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation & Cityside MS

begin to sew - book bag

16 Yrs-Adults

Join us for a perfect way for adults to fall in love with sewing in just 2½ hours! You’ll sew a charming pincushion plus your very own fabric book bag—developing essential skills like threading a machine, using a pattern, and straight-line stitching along the way. This friendly, hands-on workshop helps build confidence as you create useful projects—ideal for everyday use or gifting—and is tailored to sewing novices seeking a fun, practical introduction to the craft. Sewing machines and all materials are provided. 

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, Nov 10
  • Cost: $55r/$70nr
  • Instructor: Julie Blakely 
  • Date: Mon, Nov 17
  • Time: 5:30-8:00 PM

  • Location: City on a Hill (100 Pine St - STE 123)

sewing workshop for beginners - book bag

14 Yrs-Adults

Join us for our “Sew a Simple Book Bag - Beginners Workshop” class, a perfect way to fall in love with sewing in just 2½ hours! This class is specifically targeted for homeschool students and/or adults. You’ll sew a charming pincushion plus your very own fabric book bag—developing essential skills like threading a machine, using a pattern, and straight-line stitching along the way. This friendly, hands-on workshop helps build confidence as you create useful projects—ideal for everyday use or gifting—and is tailored to sewing novices seeking a fun, practical introduction to the craft. Sewing machines and all materials are provided. 

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, Nov 10
  • Cost: $55r/$70nr
  • Instructor: Julie Blakely 
  • Date: Wed, Nov 19
  • Time: 9:30 AM-12:00 PM

  • Location: City on a Hill (100 Pine St - STE 123)

ze & zw competitive cheerleading

5th-6th Gr

Join the ZE and ZW varsity cheer coaches for a program designed to teach the fundamentals of competitive cheer and help participants prepare for performances at upcoming competitions. This program also includes at least two competition eperiences with possible travel to local competitions. Uniforms will be provided on loan, and each registrant will receive a long-sleeve shirt and cheer bow. Participants are responsible for supplying their own black spandex shorts and white cheer shoes. Please note that transportation to and from competition venues is not included.

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Registration Deadline: Sat, Nov 29
  • Cost: $75r/$90nr
  • Coach: Emillie Gort (ZW Coach) & Adrian Nichols (ZE Coach)
  • Date: Thur | Dec 4-Jan 22 (Skip Dec 25, Jan 1)
  • Time: 5:30-7:00 PM
  • Location: Zeeland West HS - Room A103
  • Competitions: Dates will be established for at least two competition eperiences with possible travel to local competitions (Byron Center, Jenison, etc).

sewing workshop - rocking rope bowl

16 Yrs-Adults

Join us for a creative and practical Rope Bowl Workshop! In one fun session, you'll learn how to zig-zag stitch cotton rope into coiled bowls!. These stylish rope bowls are fast, affordable, and versatile: ideal for holding keys, jewelry, bedside essentials, or crafted into eye-catching statement baskets. All necessary materials are supplied—rope, fabric, threads—while participants should bring a sewing machine (with zig-zag stitch capability), open-toe presser foot, bobbins, and basic sewing tools. A working knowledge of threading a needle and changing a bobbin is required. You'll leave with a beautiful handmade piece that blends design and function—plus newfound skills and inspiration from this eco-friendly, hands-on workshop.

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, Dec 1
  • Cost: $56r/$71nr
  • Instructor: Julie Blakely 
  • Date: Sat, Dec 6
  • Time: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

  • Location: Cityside Middle School - Chix Coop

total slime takeover (slime & Engineering camp)

7-11 Yr Olds

Pack your slime passport for a messy, magical STEAM adventure where participants will embark on an imaginative journey through sky-high thrills, volcanic zones, and spooky European legends. Throughout this screen-free experience, young explorers will mix up a world of creative slimes—everything from fluffy, cloud-like concoctions to bubbling fruity blends and eerie Transylvania Blood. They’ll also engineer epic builds such as flying forts, lava jumps, and a thrilling Hydra Head Launcher. With themed days—including High Flying Slime Day, Awesome Asia, and Yay Yay Europe—campers will combine hands-on science and engineering challenges with cultural adventure, creating memories (and slime) that are as educational as they are unforgettable.

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $150r/$165nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Dec 29-31
  • Time: 8:30 AM-12:00 PM

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria

sewing workshop - farmers market tote

16 Yrs-Adults

Learn to sew your very own Market Tote Bag in this workshop! Perfect for those ready to move beyond basic sewing skills, this class guides you through constructing a roomy, durable tote—ideal for groceries, farmers’ market finds, or beach essentials. You’ll receive helpful guidance from start to finish, making one for yourself and for gifts. Sewing machines and all materials are provided—just bring your curiosity!

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, Jan 12
  • Cost: $65r/$80nr
  • Instructor: Julie Blakely 
  • Date: Sat, Jan 17
  • Time: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

  • Location: City on a Hill (100 Pine St - STE 123)

winter wonderland cookie decorating

Parent-Child (5-8 Yrs) | Youth (9-16 Yrs) | Adults (17 Yrs+)

Step into our Winter Wonderland Cookie Decorating Workshop, a festive, beginner-friendly session where you'll master royal icing techniques like outlining, flooding, and wintry accents. Each participant and/or parent-child pair will decorate a dozen sugar cookies and leave with both their creations and the skills to recreate them at home. Please note: the cookies are made in a home kitchen not inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and contain wheat, eggs, dairy, and almond. Come join us for a sweet seasonal celebration and take-home edible art!

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Registration Deadline: Sat, Jan 3 (or when full)
  • Cost: $50r/$65nr
  • Instructor: Jen Meyering (Owner - One Smart Cookie) 
  • Parent & Child (5-8 Yrs + Guardian): Sat, Jan 17 | 10:00-11:30 AM
  • Youth (9-16 Yrs): Sat, Jan 17 | 1:00-2:30 PM
  • Adults (17 Yrs-Adults): Sat, Jan 17 | 3:30-5:00 PM
  • Location: New Groningen Elementary School - Cafeteria

under the sea steam splash

7-11 Yr Olds

Embark on a splashtacular, science-filled underwater escapade! Inspired by your favorite ocean explorers, this STEAM-powered event is packed with hands-on activities, quirky challenges, and oceanic surprises.Kids will craft their own Under the Sea Slime, blending colors and textures to create a squishy ocean masterpiece. They'll engineer a seaworthy Pirate Ship, testing buoyancy and design in a fun STEM challenge. Additionally, they'll race in the Plankton’s Slow Race, designing and testing their own plankton models to see who can sink the slowest. Dive into this ocean of fun, where learning meets laughter beneath the waves!

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $45r/$60nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Sat, Jan 24
  • Time: 1:00-4:00 PM

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria

free family cooking class - breakfast edition!

School-Aged Kids & Their Families

Kickstart your day with a fun, hands-on family cooking and nutrition class all about healthy breakfasts! Together, we’ll crack, mix, and bake our way to tasty egg cups packed with colorful veggies and fluffy baked oat cups bursting with wholesome ingredients. While we cook, we will chat about simple tips for making nutritious breakfasts that will fuel your family’s day. 

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, Jan 26
  • Cost: FREE - registration still required
  • Instructor: Heidi Lynema (Corewell Health Dietitian & CATCH Instructor)
  • Date: Sat, Jan 31
  • Time: 9:00-10:30 AM
  • Location: Cityside MS - Room 135

glow crazy steam night

7-11 Yr Olds

Get ready to ignite your imagination with an electrifying glow-in-the-dark adventure! This hands-on program delves into the fascinating science behind luminescence, offering a series of engaging activities that combine creativity, learning, and fun. Participants will have the opportunity to design and race their own glowing Glow Coaster, construct a blinking, bouncing Alien Arcade Game, and concoct their very own stretchy, shimmering Glow Slime. Each challenge is crafted to encourage exploration and laughter, ensuring that everything glows—and everything goes—in this illuminating experience.

  • Register Here (Online Registration Opens Mon, Aug 4 @ 5am)
  • Cost: $45r/$60nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Sat, Feb 28
  • Time: 5:00 - 8:00 PM

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria