GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins are inviting fans to take part in two long-standing West Michigan summer traditions: the Griffins Youth Hockey Camp that will be held July 24-28 at Griff’s IceHouse at Belknap Park and the 23rd annual Griffins Youth Foundation Golf Classic at Egypt Valley Country Club on Monday, Aug. 28.

The Griffins Youth Hockey Camp will be instructed by former Griffins defenseman and seven-year NHL veteran Joel Kwiatkowski along with Griffins assistant coach and 2017 Calder Cup champion Ben Simon. Appearances will also be made during the week by former Griffin and current Detroit Red Wing Luke Glendening and current Grand Rapids assistant coach and 16-year NHL veteran Mike Knuble.

Offered to kids ages 6-16, the camp helps players maximize their skills through 11 hours of on-ice instruction as well as 11 hours of dry-land training and video sessions. The $350 cost per child includes a camp jersey, t-shirt, hat, daily lunch provided by popular local eateries and a locker room to store equipment for the week. For more information about the camp, please click here or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 3025.

A West Michigan tradition since 1995, the golf classic is the largest fundraiser for the Griffins Youth Foundation, which provides opportunities for 350 kids – many of whom are underprivileged, underserved or have other special needs – to participate in the great sport of hockey at no cost. The foundation offers hockey for first through 12th graders and a girls-only division, while also supporting the Grand Rapids Sled Wings sled hockey team for kids and teens with physical disabilities.

The Griffins Youth Foundation seeks to promote academic excellence, community involvement and healthy lifestyles among area youth, enhancing their lives through hockey and ice-related sports. One of the largest charitable events in West Michigan, the golf classic raises in excess of $70,000 for the Griffins Youth Foundation and its programs each year and has totaled well over one million dollars in its 22-year history. For more information about the Griffins Youth Foundation, please visit griffinskids.org.

This marks the ninth consecutive year that the event will be held at the renowned, 36-hole Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada, Mich. Following the 10 a.m. shotgun start, golfers will be treated to an 18-hole round – the field will be split between the Ridge and Valley courses – as well as on-course food and refreshments provided by West Side Beer, Pepsi, Leo’s Restaurant, Peppino’s Pizza and Buffalo Wild Wings. Post round, golfers will gather in the clubhouse for dinner and a high-end raffle and auction. Prizes include HDTVs, iPods, DVD players, GPS systems, cameras, golf equipment, vacation packages, sports memorabilia and more.

Meijer will serve as the title sponsor for the event. Registration for the golf classic is now open for individual golfers ($225) and foursomes ($800). Sponsorships start at $1,000, including a tee sponsor and foursome for $1,500. For more information, please click here or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 3027.