New Youth & Adult Programs

Summer

walking support group - health habits one step at a time 

Come to walk and discuss challenges and strategies related to healthy eating, weight management, wellness and handling stress... all while getting your steps in for the day! This group is FREE and led by Heidi Lynema, a registered dietitian with Corewell Health. The group walk in various outdoor and indoor locations (based on weather) in the Holland, Zeeland, Hudsonville and Jenison areas. Whether you are trying to stay motivated in your health journey, want a walking partner, or are looking to discover new places to walk in the area... this group is for you. All are welcome to join... show up when you can!

islandmon steam-quest family night out

All Ages

Join us for a mini-monstrous journey into the Challenge Island wild! Our adventurous family STEAM teams are on a quest to catch, collect and train all of the island's mini-monsters. You’ll visit gyms, earn badges, go on treasure hunts and even engage in a battle or two. With the help of their Islandmon allies, STEAMaroo and her baby STEAMpuff, our STEAM teams will tackle an island-full of engineering challenges as you evolve into true STEAM Champions.  Ready? Let's go!

  • Register Here
  • Registration Deadline: Tue, June 3 (or when full)
  • Cost: $79r/$94nr (per family)
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Tue, June 10
  • Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room

cornhole tournaments (adult, high school, parent-child)

18 Yr Olds+

Grab a partner and join us for an exciting series of Cornhole Tournaments this summer! We're offering new options this year to suit all ages: Adults-Only Tournament, High School Tournament and a Parent-Child Tournament. All tournaments are round-robin style and will be held outdoors on Main Street during the City of Zeeland’s “Music on Main” event. Each team will compete against every other team once. The team with the best win-loss record at the end of the tournament will win a trophy and gift card. Sign up as a team and get ready for some fun competition!

  • Register Here
  • Cost: $33r/$48nr per team
  • Adults-Only Tournament (18 Yrs+): Thur, June 12 | 6pm
  • High School Tournament (9th-12th Gr): Thur, June 19 | 6pm
  • Parent-Child Tournament (5th-8th Gr & Guardian): Thur, Aug 7 | 7pm
  • Adults-Only Tournament (18 Yrs +): Thur, Aug 21 | 6pm
  • Location: Main Street between Church St & Elm St

botanical sketching in nature

14 Yr Olds-Adults

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world through our Botanical Sketching in Nature program! Perfect for artists and nature enthusiasts alike, this program combines field exploration with hands-on sketching. Participants will learn to observe and capture the intricate details of plants, flowers, and trees using a few fundamental sketching techniques. Whether you want to enhance your art skills or simply enjoy a peaceful outdoor activity, this program is for you! Please bring binoculars and/or a magnifying glass (not required, but helpful), drawing supplies (paper, clipboard, journal, pencil, pen, coloring tools, etc.) and an easy-to-carry folding chair. The path is accessible for wheelchairs and participants will have the option to sit in one place or meander. All artistic and natural experience levels are welcome. 

  • Register Here
  • Cost: $25r/$40nr
  • Instructor: Ria VanderKlok
  • Date: Fri, June 13
  • Time: 5:30pm-8:00pm
  • Location: Upper Macatawa Natural Area (1300 84th Ave, Zeeland - 84th Ave Entrance)

birding for beginners - upper macatawa

8 Yr Olds-Adults

Interested in learning more about bird watching? Come explore the Upper Macatawa Natural Area with a naturalist guide and learn about the basics of bird watching, different bird species that inhabit these spaces, binocular techniques, and helpful tips to identify the birds we see. You’re welcome to come to one session or enjoy all three sessions as a series! Participants are asked to bring a pair of binoculars (not required, but helpful). The path is accessible for wheelchairs. All experience levels are welcome!

  • Register Here
  • Cost: $15r/$30nr
  • Instructor: Ria VanderKlok
  • Session 3: Sat, June 14 | 9:00am-10:15am | 84th Ave Entrance | Meadow Path

  • Location: Upper Macatawa Natural Area (1300 84th Ave, Zeeland)

GYMNASTICS

3-14 Yr Olds

Our Gymnastics program develops body control, flexibility and strength that will help your child excel in gymnastics skills as well as sports, dance and more! Each session will include a rotation of skill development on beams, bars, vaults and floor work. All children must be potty trained.

  • Register Here
  • Lead Instructor: Kari Lacny
  • Location: Adams Elementary School - Gymnasium
  • Age Descriptions: See below
  • Session 1 - June 16-19 & June 23-26 - Two Weeks - AM
    • Cost: $83r/$98nr
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): 8:00-8:50am
    • Beginners (5 Yrs+): 9:00am-9:50am
    • Intermediate (6 Yrs+): 10:00am-10:50am
    • Advanced (6 Yrs+): 11:00am-11:15am
  • Session 2 - July 14-18 - One Week - PM
    • Cost: $53r/$68nr
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): 4:00pm-4:50pm
    • Beginners (5 Yrs+): 5:00pm-5:50pm
    • Intermediate (6 Yrs+): 6:00pm-6:50pm
    • Advanced (6 Yrs+): 7:00pm-7:50pm
  • Session 3 - July 21-25 - One Week - AM 
    • Cost: $83r/$98nr
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): 8:00-8:50am
    • Beginners (5 Yrs+): 9:00am-9:50am
    • Intermediate (6 Yrs+): 10:00am-10:50am
    • Advanced (6 Yrs+): 11:00am-11:15am
  • Session 4 - July 28-July 31 & Aug 4-7 - Two Weeks - PM
    • Cost: $83r/$98nr
    • Tots (3-4 Yrs): 4:00pm-4:50pm
    • Beginners (5 Yrs+): 5:00pm-5:50pm
    • Intermediate (6 Yrs+): 6:00pm-6:50pm
    • Advanced (6 Yrs+): 7:00pm-7:50pm
  • 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 (Placement Based on Skill Rather Than Age): 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 (Placement Based on Skill Rather Than Age): 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

adult bridgerton night

16 Yrs-Adults

Dance the night away learning some Regency-era patterns (Waltz, Polka, Quadrille) that are sure to make you the talk of Bridgerton. Pay a visit to the Modiste for a new frock worthy of a night on the ton, while Lady Whistledown has it that the Queen might choose her diamond on this special evening! No dance experience needed and dressing up is encouraged (not required)! Grab your friends and come for fun!

  • Register Here
  • Registration Deadline: Tue, June 17
  • Cost: $19r/$34nr
  • Instructor: Cydney Sheneman
  • Date: Thur, June 19
  • Time: 7:30pm-9:30pm
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation - Shoreline Sprinkling Dance Studio

ART CLUB

3rd-12th Gr

Join our Art Club to take your artistic skills to the next level! Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting, this 4-day program will help you explore different art mediums, learn new art techniques and fall more in love with art! Each day we will focus on a new art medium while we create a new project to take home. All skill levels are welcome!

  • Register Here
  • Cost: $60r/$75nr
  • Instructor: Taelia Spencer (Art Education Major at GVSU)
  • Session 4 - 3rd-5th Gr: June 23-26 | 4:00pm-5:00pm
  • Session 5 - 6th-8th Gr: June 23-26 | 5:30pm-6:30pm 
  • Session 6 - 9th-12th Gr: June 23-26 | 7:00pm-8:00pm
  • Location: Cityside Middle School - ELA room

art for relaxation

18 Yr Olds+

Unleash your creativity and embrace some moments of relaxation in this engaging and soothing class designed for artists, creators, and anyone seeking a moment of calm in their busy lives. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, this class is perfect for all skill levels. Each session introduces a new medium and explores techniques to help you create art you love while enjoying the process. Join us for the full series or drop in for the sessions that spark your interest—no experience necessary, just bring your curiosity and a willingness to unwind through art.

  • Register Here
  • Cost: $40r/$55nr
  • Instructor: Taelia Spencer (Art Education Major at GVSU)
  • Oil Pastels: Fri, June 27 | 6:30pm-8:00pm 
  • Abstract Acrylic Painting: Fri, July 25  | 6:30pm-8:00pm 
  • Collage Making: Fri, Aug 22 | 6:30pm-8:00pm 
  • Location: Cityside Middle School - ELA room

slimetopia 2: high flying slime mini camp

7-11 Yr Olds

Once upon a time there was a bestselling camp that turned favorite children’s books into fantastical slimy adventures. Our STEAM teams will mix up new slime classics like Alice’s Unbirthday Cake Slime, Charlie’s Everlasting Gobstopper Slime, Percy’s Blue Cookie Slime, Narnia’s Turkish Delight Slime and STEAMwarts ButterBeer Slime. Join us for an unforgettable slime adventure!

  • Register Here
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, June 16 (or when full)
  • Cost: $57r/$72nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Mon, June 30
  • Time: 8:00am-12:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria

watercolor in nature

14 Yr Olds-Adults

Join us to explore nature’s beauty while learning the techniques of watercolor painting! We will take to the trail and paint what we see as we go. Participants will learn a few field sketching and watercolor techniques to help get what you notice onto your paper as we look closely, ask questions, and develop our skill of observing the world around us. All supplies will be provided and participants will go home with a watercolor journal, watercolor field kit, and water brush. The path is accessible for wheelchairs and participants will have the option to sit in one place or meander. 

  • Register Here
  • Cost: $75r/$90nr
  • Instructor: Ria VanderKlok
  • Date: Fri, July 11
  • Time: 5:30pm-8:00pm
  • Location: Upper Macatawa Natural Area (1300 84th Ave, Zeeland - 84th Ave Entrance)

space explorer camp

7-11 Yr Olds

Get ready for a journey through time and space as we meet the great explorers. From Copernicus to Galileo, to the Wright Brothers to Amelia Earhart. From Neil Armstrong to Mae Jemison to wherever your imagination will take you!

  • Register Here
  • Registration Deadline: Fri, June 23 (or when full)
  • Cost: $229r/$244nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: July 21-24
  • Time: 8:00am-12:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room

ADULT SWIFTIES NIGHT

16 Yrs-Adults

The Eras tour may be over, but it would be a “Cruel Summer” if we did not make the whole place shimmer and “Shake It Off” together. Put on your red lip and come sing along and learn some fun Swiftie dance choreography to “You Belong With Me” on the dance floor! No dance experience needed and dressing up is encouraged, but not required! Grab your friends and come for fun!

  • Register Here
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, July 28
  • Cost: $19r/$34nr
  • Instructor: Cydney Sheneman
  • Date: Wed, July 30
  • Time: 7:30pm-9:00pm
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation - Shoreline Sprinkling Dance Studio

slimetopia 4: once upon a slime morning camp

7-11 Yr Olds

Step into a storybook world of slime in this enchanting STEAM adventure! Each day brings a new literary twist, from building Camp Half-Blood cabins to engineering Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Ride. Campers will create magical slimes like Evil Hot Dog, Butter Beer, and Chocolate Engineer while diving into favorite tales like Harry Potter, Dog Man, Percy Jackson, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It’s messy, magical, and made for imagination!

  • Register Here
  • Registration Deadline: July 21 (or when full)
  • Cost: $229r/$244nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Aug 4-7
  • Time: 8:00am-12:00pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - Cafeteria

amusement park island mini camp

7-11 Yr Olds

Welcome to Amusement Park Island STEAM Camp, where the only limit is your imagination! At Roller Coaster Cliff, you will dive into the exhilarating world of physics by designing roller coasters that defy gravity and create unforgettable thrills. Zipline Zone offers a heart-pounding adventure, where you’ll learn about aerodynamics and teamwork while soaring through the sky! And in the magical Bubble Springs, creativity bubbles over as you’ll explore the science of water and design their very own bubbly creations!

  • Register Here
  • Registration Deadline: July 23 (or when full)
  • Cost: $229r/$244nr
  • Instructors: Rachel Franklin & Challenge Island Staff
  • Date: Wed, Aug 6
  • Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm

  • Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room

ADULT y2k NIGHT

16 Yrs-Adults

Grab your flares, layer those lace tanks, pop those collars and get your cucumber melon scented apple bottom to the dance floor. This fun dance class will center around the best moves from the early aughts, finishing off the night with a choreographed dance number. It’s bound to be a great time, fo’ shizzle! No dance experience needed and dressing up is encouraged, but not required! Grab your friends and come for a fun!

  • Register Here
  • Registration Deadline: Mon, Aug 4
  • Cost: $19r/$34nr
  • Instructor: Cydney Sheneman
  • Date: Wed, Aug 6
  • Time: 7:30pm-9:00pm
  • Location: Zeeland Recreation - Shoreline Sprinkling Dance Studio