GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – This summer, the Grand Rapids Griffins are inviting fans to participate in either of two long-running West Michigan traditions: the Griffins’ Youth Hockey Camp, to be held Aug. 4-8 and 11-15 at Griff’s IceHouse, and the 14th annual Griffins Youth Foundation Golf Classic, set for Aug. 27 at Railside Golf Club in Byron Center.

Joining Griffins assistant coach Jim Paek to instruct the youth hockey camp will be Kentwood native and Philadelphia Flyers forward Mike Knuble, and former Griffins and Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Joel Kwiatkowski. Offered to ages 6-16, the camp helps players maximize their skills through on-ice instruction, dry-land training and off-ice film sessions.

Included in the cost of $300 per child per week is a camp jersey, t-shirt, hat and daily lunch provided by several local restaurants. Each one-week session consists of 15 hours of ice time and 7.5 hours of dry-land fun and video, and players will be provided a locker room to leave their equipment in for the week. For more information about the camp, please click here or call (616) 774-4585.

The golf classic serves as the primary fundraiser for the Griffins Youth Foundation, whose mission is to promote academic excellence, community involvement and healthy lifestyles among the youth of West Michigan, enhancing their lives through hockey and ice-related sports. Last year’s outing raised in excess of $90,000 for the foundation, making it one of the largest charitable events in West Michigan.

In previous years, hockey celebrities such as Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, assistant GM Jim Nill and 1980 U.S. Olympian and four-time Stanley Cup champion Ken Morrow have participated in the event.

This summer’s golf classic will commence with an 11 a.m. shotgun start and conclude with dinner and both silent and live auctions at approximately 5 p.m. WGRD’s Eric Zane will serve as emcee for the auctions, which will include a wide array of items and sports memorabilia.

A field of 36 foursomes will take part in the classic. An on-the-course menu featuring Leo’s famous bacon-wrapped shrimp and Buffalo Wild Wings’ chicken wings will be offered, along with contests including hit the hockey net, hole-in-one, closest to the pin and longest drive.

Meijer and Dean Foods will once again serve as title sponsors for the golf classic. Anyone interested in opportunities for sponsorships, golf, dinner or donating auction items may click here or call Bob Kaser, president of the Griffins Youth Foundation and chairman of the golf classic, at (616) 774-4585 ext. 3027.