Future Zeeland East and Zeeland West cheerleaders will have an opportunity to build their skills at a series of one-day camps this summer offered through Zeeland Recreation.
The first of the camps will take place Tuesday, July 14 at Zeeland Stadium, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This session will dive into jumps, chants, and stunts, all tailored to challenge and inspire each cheerleader at their own skill level. Whether you're new to cheer or looking to sharpen your skills, this camp is the perfect kickoff to build confidence, teamwork, and fun.
The camp will be led by varsity head coaches Adrian Nichols (East) and Emillie Gort (West).
New this year is the Toss & Tumble Cheer Camp, that will take place Tuesday, July 21, again at Zeeland Stadium from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The camp is focused solely on the skills of gymnastics and stunting. Whether your cheerleader is just beginning their journey or pushing toward advanced tricks, our coaches will meet them exactly where they are and help them level up with confidence.
From building strong fundamentals to mastering progressions, campers will unlock new abilities, boost strength and flexibility, and experience the pure joy of watching their hard work pay off. It’s the perfect blend of technique, teamwork, and non-stop energy — designed to inspire, challenge, and elevate every athlete.
Finally, there is the Jumps & Chants Cheer Camp, that will be held Tuesday, July 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the stadium.
Focused on high-energy jumps and cheer chants, campers will master the fundamentals used at football games and competitions. Coaches will teach proper jump technique to build height and confidence, plus all of their favorite cheers — including exciting new chants for the upcoming Rocket season.
Each of the camps are open to individuals 5 years old through sixth grade. Registration for each camp is $29 for residents and $44 for non-residents, with a registration deadline of one week prior to each camp.
You can register for any or all of the camps online at zps.org/z-recreation/youth/cheerleading.
The first of the camps will take place Tuesday, July 14 at Zeeland Stadium, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This session will dive into jumps, chants, and stunts, all tailored to challenge and inspire each cheerleader at their own skill level. Whether you're new to cheer or looking to sharpen your skills, this camp is the perfect kickoff to build confidence, teamwork, and fun.
The camp will be led by varsity head coaches Adrian Nichols (East) and Emillie Gort (West).
New this year is the Toss & Tumble Cheer Camp, that will take place Tuesday, July 21, again at Zeeland Stadium from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The camp is focused solely on the skills of gymnastics and stunting. Whether your cheerleader is just beginning their journey or pushing toward advanced tricks, our coaches will meet them exactly where they are and help them level up with confidence.
From building strong fundamentals to mastering progressions, campers will unlock new abilities, boost strength and flexibility, and experience the pure joy of watching their hard work pay off. It’s the perfect blend of technique, teamwork, and non-stop energy — designed to inspire, challenge, and elevate every athlete.
Finally, there is the Jumps & Chants Cheer Camp, that will be held Tuesday, July 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the stadium.
Focused on high-energy jumps and cheer chants, campers will master the fundamentals used at football games and competitions. Coaches will teach proper jump technique to build height and confidence, plus all of their favorite cheers — including exciting new chants for the upcoming Rocket season.
Each of the camps are open to individuals 5 years old through sixth grade. Registration for each camp is $29 for residents and $44 for non-residents, with a registration deadline of one week prior to each camp.
You can register for any or all of the camps online at zps.org/z-recreation/youth/cheerleading.
Claerbaut Receives All-Defensive, Academic Honors
Zeeland East High School graduate Nathan Claerbaut recently received two honors for his work on the basketball court and in the classroom at Central Michigan University.
Claerbaut, a 7-foot senior, was named to the Mid-American Conference All-Defensive Team, and was also named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team.
Claerbaut, who transferred to CMU last fall from Ferris State University, averaged 12.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots for the Chippewas this season as he started all 31 of their games. He had 64 blocked shots on the season, including a school-record 11 rejections against archrival Western Michigan on Feb. 21, which tied for the most by any NCAA Division I player this season. His 2.1 blocks per game ranked 25th in the nation.
Claerbaut also shot a team-high 57.7 percent (164-284) from the floor to rank second in the MAC in that category, and also grabbed a team-high 57 offensive rebounds. He finished the season with 23 double-figure scoring games, two 20-point games, three double-figure rebounding games and four double-doubles. He led the Chippewas in scoring six times and was the leading rebounder in 11 contests.
Claerbaut concluded his four-year collegiate career with 750 points, 420 rebounds (149 offensive), 158 blocked shots, and a .580 field goal percentage (318-548) in 1832 minutes, 92 games and 62 total starts.
To be nominated for the Academic All-District team, student-athletes must accumulate a cumulative grade point average at or above 3.50 while being a starter or key reserve. For men's basketball specifically, a player must have competed in 90 percent of the team's games or have started at least 66 percent of the squad's contests. Transfers are eligible while counting their cumulative grade point average from the previous school.
Claerbaut, a 7-foot senior, was named to the Mid-American Conference All-Defensive Team, and was also named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team.
Claerbaut, who transferred to CMU last fall from Ferris State University, averaged 12.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots for the Chippewas this season as he started all 31 of their games. He had 64 blocked shots on the season, including a school-record 11 rejections against archrival Western Michigan on Feb. 21, which tied for the most by any NCAA Division I player this season. His 2.1 blocks per game ranked 25th in the nation.
Claerbaut also shot a team-high 57.7 percent (164-284) from the floor to rank second in the MAC in that category, and also grabbed a team-high 57 offensive rebounds. He finished the season with 23 double-figure scoring games, two 20-point games, three double-figure rebounding games and four double-doubles. He led the Chippewas in scoring six times and was the leading rebounder in 11 contests.
Claerbaut concluded his four-year collegiate career with 750 points, 420 rebounds (149 offensive), 158 blocked shots, and a .580 field goal percentage (318-548) in 1832 minutes, 92 games and 62 total starts.
To be nominated for the Academic All-District team, student-athletes must accumulate a cumulative grade point average at or above 3.50 while being a starter or key reserve. For men's basketball specifically, a player must have competed in 90 percent of the team's games or have started at least 66 percent of the squad's contests. Transfers are eligible while counting their cumulative grade point average from the previous school.
Tennis Camp Registration Open
Registration is open for the Zeeland East and Zeeland West coed tennis camps.
The East camp will take place May 26-28, while the West camp will be held June 8-11
Participants will learn fundamentals of the game of tennis like serving, ground strokes and net play.
Participants will receive a camp shirt. They must provide a racket.
The East schedule/fees are as follows:
5 Yrs-2nd Gr: 5:45-6:30 p.m. | $40r/$55nr
3rd-5th Gr: 4:30-5:30 p.m. | $45r/$60nr
6th-8th Gr: 3:15-4:15 p.m. | $45r/$60nr
The West schedule/fees are as follows:
5 Yrs-2nd Gr: 11:25 a.m.-12:10 p.m. | $45r/$60nr
3rd-5th Gr: 9:10-10:10 a.m. | $50r/$65nr
6th-8th Gr: 10:20-11:20 a.m. | $50r/$65nr.
The East camp will take place May 26-28, while the West camp will be held June 8-11
Participants will learn fundamentals of the game of tennis like serving, ground strokes and net play.
Participants will receive a camp shirt. They must provide a racket.
The East schedule/fees are as follows:
5 Yrs-2nd Gr: 5:45-6:30 p.m. | $40r/$55nr
3rd-5th Gr: 4:30-5:30 p.m. | $45r/$60nr
6th-8th Gr: 3:15-4:15 p.m. | $45r/$60nr
The West schedule/fees are as follows:
5 Yrs-2nd Gr: 11:25 a.m.-12:10 p.m. | $45r/$60nr
3rd-5th Gr: 9:10-10:10 a.m. | $50r/$65nr
6th-8th Gr: 10:20-11:20 a.m. | $50r/$65nr.
Boys Volleyball Camp Set for June 16-18
Boys volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and Zeeland Recreation is helping to promote that growth locally.
Zeeland Rec will offer a volleyball camp to boys in sixth through eighth grades June 16-18, directed by Zeeland varsity boys coach David Raab.
The camp is designed to build essential volleyball skills through fun, fast-paced drills and competitive, game-like environments. Athletes will also dive into the offensive and defensive tactics used by the varsity volleyball team — perfect for players who are eager to sharpen their abilities and gain a competitive edge.
The camp will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. on each of the three days at the Cityside Middle School gymnasiums. Registration is $30 for residents and $45 for non-residents.
You can register online at zps.org/z-recreation/youth/volleyball.
Zeeland Rec will offer a volleyball camp to boys in sixth through eighth grades June 16-18, directed by Zeeland varsity boys coach David Raab.
The camp is designed to build essential volleyball skills through fun, fast-paced drills and competitive, game-like environments. Athletes will also dive into the offensive and defensive tactics used by the varsity volleyball team — perfect for players who are eager to sharpen their abilities and gain a competitive edge.
The camp will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. on each of the three days at the Cityside Middle School gymnasiums. Registration is $30 for residents and $45 for non-residents.
You can register online at zps.org/z-recreation/youth/volleyball.
Girls Volleyball Camp Registration in Progress
Registration at Zeeland Recreation is underway for the Zeeland East and Zeeland West girls volleyball camps that will take place June 15-18.
The camps are open to girls from 5 years of age to the eighth grade. They will be run under the following format:
5-year-olds-2nd Grade: This is an introductory camp that will teach the basic movements and skills involved in playing volleyball. Coaches will use balloons, beach balls and Volley-Lite balls to teach basic contact skills.
3rd-5th Grade: This camp will focus on the development of fundamental volleyball skills. It will be a fun, team experience in which they will learn offensive and defensive philosophies.
6th-8th Grade: This camp will focus on the essential skills of volleyball and how to further develop them in fun, energetic and game-like environments. Athletes will be learning offensive and defensive tactics used by the East and West volleyball teams.
The West volleyball camp will be led by varsity coach Chris Mack. The East camp leader is to be determined.
The schedule for the West camp is as follows:
• 5 Yrs-2nd Grade: 1:45-2:30 p.m.
• 3rd-5th Grade: 2:45-4 p.m.
• 6th-8th Grade: 4:15-5:45 p.m.
The camp will take place in both the main and auxiliary gyms at West.
The East camp schedule is as follows:
• 5 Yrs-2nd Grade: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• 3rd-5th Grade: 10:15-11:30 a.m.
• 6th-8th Grade: 8:30-10 a.m.
The camp will be held in the Cityside Middle School gymnasiums.
Registration for campers from age 5 to the second grade is $40 for residents and $55 for non-residents. For third-through-fifth grade, the registration fee is $50 for residents and $65 for non-residents. The sixth-through-eighth grade camp registration is $55 for residents and $70 for non-residents.
You can sign up for the camp at zps.org/z-recreation/youth/volleyball.
The camps are open to girls from 5 years of age to the eighth grade. They will be run under the following format:
5-year-olds-2nd Grade: This is an introductory camp that will teach the basic movements and skills involved in playing volleyball. Coaches will use balloons, beach balls and Volley-Lite balls to teach basic contact skills.
3rd-5th Grade: This camp will focus on the development of fundamental volleyball skills. It will be a fun, team experience in which they will learn offensive and defensive philosophies.
6th-8th Grade: This camp will focus on the essential skills of volleyball and how to further develop them in fun, energetic and game-like environments. Athletes will be learning offensive and defensive tactics used by the East and West volleyball teams.
The West volleyball camp will be led by varsity coach Chris Mack. The East camp leader is to be determined.
The schedule for the West camp is as follows:
• 5 Yrs-2nd Grade: 1:45-2:30 p.m.
• 3rd-5th Grade: 2:45-4 p.m.
• 6th-8th Grade: 4:15-5:45 p.m.
The camp will take place in both the main and auxiliary gyms at West.
The East camp schedule is as follows:
• 5 Yrs-2nd Grade: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• 3rd-5th Grade: 10:15-11:30 a.m.
• 6th-8th Grade: 8:30-10 a.m.
The camp will be held in the Cityside Middle School gymnasiums.
Registration for campers from age 5 to the second grade is $40 for residents and $55 for non-residents. For third-through-fifth grade, the registration fee is $50 for residents and $65 for non-residents. The sixth-through-eighth grade camp registration is $55 for residents and $70 for non-residents.
You can sign up for the camp at zps.org/z-recreation/youth/volleyball.
