Featured Events in Grand Rapids in July, 2025 (May Updated)

Van Andel Institute for Education (VAI) honors the person and the profession! We know teachers have the most important job in the world; that’s why we support the whole teacher. This conference was designed by experts and current classroom teachers to provide research-based, classroom-tested, and inquiry-oriented content that supports your classroom expectations, your content standards, and you as a person. Join us in creating a classroom culture that supports STEAM instruction while also nurturing your own curiosity for personal growth and enjoyment. And during some very challenging times, you’ll see that you’re not alone with many networking opportunities for you to engage with other teachers by grade level and content area. Establish a classroom culture to support STEAM instruction Explore standards-aligned lessons by grade level with STEAM integration Network with like-minded educators in your grade and interest area Nurture your own curiosity and personal growth Celebrate the amazing work you do! Registration includes: Two days of inspiration, exploration, and practical takeaways Opportunities to network with like-minded teachers Breakfast, lunch, and VIP treatment - because YOU deserve it! *With the paid registration of a staff member, an administrator from the same building/district may attend for free. Free administrator registrations are nontransferable. To receive the free offer, administrators must register by phone with the name of a paid registrant. Call 616-234-5528. Purchase Orders: Email your registration with purchase order to information@vaei.org . Note: Please do NOT email VAI your credit card information. Please call or register online. Science on the Grand is valued at $800 but is subsidized by the Van Andel Institute and our generous donors, making it an affordable experience for educators! Information Source: Van Andel Institute for Education | eventbrite

Discover what it takes to be a crime scene forensic scientist. In this camp, students will study different techniques used to analyze a crime scene, determine who is ultimately responsible for committing different crimes, and participate in hands-on investigations that involve fingerprinting, DNA analysis, and more! Campers will also talk with an actual crime scene forensic scientist to learn more about this exciting career. On the final day of camp, they’ll put their detective skills to the test by solving a crime and naming the perpetrator! Guided Activities Learn how to complete a fingerprinting analysis. Engage in a (simulated) blood typing investigation. Discover how to analyze different powders left behind at the crime scene to determine what they are. Meet with a forensic scientist and learn how to analyze an actual crime scene, while discovering more about that career. Put their skills to the test and use their forensic knowledge to solve a crime! Refund Policy: Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before the start date of your camp. Partial refunds (50% tuition) will be given if requested 7 days or less of the start date of your camp. E ventBrite fees are nonrefundable. Information Source: Van Andel Institute for Education | eventbrite

Science has the power to transform lives across generations. In STEM for GOOD, students will put their powers of creativity to work to design fun and engaging science activities to bring to local senior citizens. Through hands-on experiments and shared learning moments, students will brighten someone's day, inspire curiosity, and help others see that learning is exciting and accessible... at any age! This program offers a unique chance to make a difference, spreading the joy of discovery while building community connections through the universal language of science. Guided Activities Analyze engaging STEM activities, from rocket flight to earthquake-proofing a building Create unique, hands-on STEM experiences with simple materials Design stations where others can learn STEM principles Present displays to senior citizens Refund Policy: Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before the start date of your camp. Partial refunds (50% tuition) will be given if requested 7 days or less of the start date of your camp. E ventBrite fees are nonrefundable. Information Source: Van Andel Institute for Education | eventbrite

Embark on an unforgettable adventure where creativity, nature, and technology meet! Campers will unleash their coding skills while exploring the wonders of the animal kingdom. Through hands-on projects, we'll dive into animal senses, adaptations, and survival strategies--all while discovering how to bring these concepts to life with code. This camp is perfect for young explorers eager to combine their love for animals and technology in exciting new ways. Guided Activities Create an interactive digital pet. Meet and handle our resident animals! Discover ways technology can help us protect endangered species. Design your own animal and program its senses to respond to the environment. Refund Policy: Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before the start date of your camp. Partial refunds (50% tuition) will be given if requested 7 days or less of the start date of your camp. E ventBrite fees are nonrefundable. Information Source: Van Andel Institute for Education | eventbrite

Step into the world of biomedical research in this immersive one-day summer camp! Students will explore the power of model organisms in scientific discovery through hands-on activities at VAI Education. They’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at real-world research at VAI Research, working directly with live organisms—sorting embryos, analyzing traits, and testing environmental conditions, just like professional scientists. The day will also include an exclusive panel discussion with biomedical researchers, offering insight into careers in science. Discover how tiny creatures lead to big breakthroughs in human health! *Lunch is included Refund Policy: Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before the start date of your camp. Partial refunds (50% tuition) will be given if requested 7 days or less of the start date of your camp. EventBrite fees are nonrefundable. Information Source: Van Andel Institute for Education | eventbrite

Welcome to Rapids Radio Rockfest Presented by Deerwood Bank ! Get ready to rock out in the parking lot behind Rapids Brewing Company with Warrant, April Wine and Molly Hatchet . Rapids Radio has teamed up with Deerwood Bank and the City of Grand Rapids for a night filled with live music, great drinks, food, and awesome company. This event is the perfect opportunity to let loose and enjoy some killer tunes. Don't miss out on this EPIC night of music, community and fun! Keep checking back to this page for further updates as we get closer to show! For more information contact Rapids Radio at 218-999-5699 Rapids Radio Rockfest would not be possible without the help of the City of Grand Rapids and our following sponsors! Title Sponsor -Deerwood Bank Elite Sponsors -Rapids Brewing Company and Super One Foods Gold Sponsors -S and S Meats, Pokegama Liquor, Iseman Homes, Paul Bunyan Communications, Northanland Portables, A&B Mishaps, Dairy Queen, and Rays Sport and Cycle. Silver Sponsors -Greater Insurance Services, Cabinet Corner, Benders, Edge of the Wilderness Realty, Carquest, Remer Motel and Campground, The Locker Room, Mr. Furnace, Automtive Electric, Mississippi Diamond Jewlers, Roth RV, Forest Lake Restaurant, C and L Distributing, Hotel Rapids, Hibbing Chrysler, Coldwell Banker-Northwoods Realty, The Up North Team, Edward Jones, Hannah Aldrich-Keller Williams Realty, Rays Sport and Marine. Rockfest Vendors -Harry's Bar and Grill, Timberwolf Inn, Sammy's, NOPO Kitchen, Klockow Brewing, Buns-To-Go, Rapids Brewing Company, Schweiby's Concessions, Aunt Edmoe's Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies, Heroes Rise Coffee Additional Sponors include - Skoglund Electric, My Place Hotel, and Minuteman Press Information Source: Rapids Radio | eventbrite

Calling all young sorcerers and enchantresses! Set out on a magical journey like no other at the Witches and Wizards Grand Rapids School of Sorcery and Wizardry! Campers will enter a realm of fantasy where they’ll hone their magical talents, craft their very own wand, and enroll in mystical classes such as Potion-Making, Transformations, and Caring for Enchanted Creatures! Finally, they’ll utilize their newfound skills to partake in an exciting tournament at the end of the camp. Guided Activities Meet the Sorting Hat and let it determine which mystical house they belong in. Participate in a different magical class each day to become a more experienced witch or wizard. Earn House points to win the House Cup at the end of the week. Use all their newfound knowledge to compete in a magical tournament. Interview a real scientist from the Van Andel Research Institute. Refund Policy: Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before the start date of your camp. Partial refunds (50% tuition) will be given if requested 7 days or less of the start date of your camp. EventBrite fees are nonrefundable. Information Source: Van Andel Institute for Education | eventbrite

Get ready for an out-of-this-world adventure where campers design and build their own colony on Mars! They'll discover what it takes to survive on the Red Planet by exploring its unique environment, then team up to create a futuristic Martian settlement. Finally, they will electrify their Martian base and use programming to bring the colony to life. It's a journey that's sure to spark their imagination and unleash their inner engineer! Guided Activities Learn about circuits and add power to a Martian colony. Learn about inputs and outputs and program a base to respond to its environment. Discover what is fact and fiction about the red planet and use their knowledge to design a colony. Refund Policy: Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before the start date of your camp. Partial refunds (50% tuition) will be given if requested 7 days or less of the start date of your camp. EventBrite fees are nonrefundable. Information Source: Van Andel Institute for Education | eventbrite

Embrace the power of mini but mighty living in our Tiny Town camp! Young architects and engineers will learn the essentials of designing small-scale, sustainable homes. Using time-tested principles of architecture and engineering, campers will draft blueprints and construct tiny model homes that maximize space without sacrificing style. By the end of the day, each camper will showcase a unique tiny home, learning that good things truly come in small packages! Guided Activities Discover unique and space-saving solutions used by people around the world. Explore the difference between architecture and engineering. Design and build a tiny dream home. Refund Policy: Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before the start date of your camp. Partial refunds (50% tuition) will be given if requested 7 days or less of the start date of your camp. EventBrite fees are nonrefundable. Information Source: Van Andel Institute for Education | eventbrite

Embrace the power of mini but mighty living in our Petite Properties camp! Young architects and engineers will learn the essentials of designing small-scale, sustainable homes. Using time-tested principles of architecture and engineering, campers will draft blueprints and construct tiny model homes that maximize space without sacrificing style. By the end of the day, each camper will showcase a unique tiny home, learning that good things truly come in small packages! Guided Activities Discover unique and space saving solutions used by people around the world. Explore the difference between architecture and engineering. Design and build a tiny dream home. Refund Policy: Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before the start date of your camp. Partial refunds (50% tuition) will be given if requested 7 days or less of the start date of your camp. EventBrite fees are nonrefundable. Information Source: Van Andel Institute for Education | eventbrite

Embrace the power of mini but mighty living in our Mini Mansions camp! Young architects and engineers will learn the essentials of designing small-scale, sustainable homes. Using time-tested principles of architecture and engineering, campers will draft blueprints and construct tiny model homes that maximize space without sacrificing style. They will also consider ways to sustainably power and illuminate their Mini Mansions. By the end of the day, each camper will showcase a unique tiny home with working lights, demonstrating that good things truly come in small packages! Guided Activities Discover unique and space saving solutions used by people around the world. Explore the difference between architecture and engineering. Design and build their dream tiny home. Refund Policy: Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before the start date of your camp. Partial refunds (50% tuition) will be given if requested 7 days or less of the start date of your camp. EventBrite fees are nonrefundable. Information Source: Van Andel Institute for Education | eventbrite

Get ready for a wild adventure at Bug Bash Summer Camp! Campers will compete in the Bug Olympics with crazy mimicry races, Build-a-Bug creations, and epic bug hunts, all to see which insect rises above the rest. Together, we'll leap into the fascinating world of insects through interactive activities and hands-on experiments, all while making new friends and having a blast! Guided Activities Bug Olympics: Organize mimicry races where participants imitate the movements of different bugs. Build-a-Bug: Design and construct unique bug models, focusing on different features. Bug Hunt: Search in and around Van Andel Institute for various bugs, identifying and collecting information about them. Exploration: Explore different habitats to observe bugs in their natural environments and learn about their behaviors. Refund Policy: Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before the start date of your camp. Partial refunds (50% tuition) will be given if requested 7 days or less of the start date of your camp. EventBrite fees are nonrefundable. Information Source: Van Andel Institute for Education | eventbrite

Welcome to the fascinating world of zoology and conservation! Here, campers collaborate to create enclosures, habitats, and enriching environments for a variety of animals. They'll learn what each species needs to survive as they create their own model of a zoo. This hands-on experience will leave participants with a new understanding of wildlife, design skills, and a passion for the animal kingdom. Guided Activities Discover what all animals need to survive in their environment. Get up close to animals and learn about their structural and behavioral traits. Assess how well a zoo's habitats meet the needs of their animals. Design and build their own model of a zoo to accommodate the needs of their unique population. Refund Policy: Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before the start date of your camp. Partial refunds (50% tuition) will be given if requested 7 days or less of the start date of your camp. EventBrite fees are nonrefundable. Information Source: Van Andel Institute for Education | eventbrite

Get ready for an amazing adventure at Bug-o-Rama: The Spectacular Science of BUGS! Join us for the Bug Olympics featuring wacky mimicry races, unleash your creativity in Build-a-Bug, and dive into thrilling bug hunts. Explore the incredible world of insects through interactive activities and hands-on experiments, all while making new friends and having a fantastic time! Guided Activities Bug Olympics: Organize mimicry races where participants imitate the movements of different bugs. Build-a-Bug: Design and construct your own bug models, focusing on different features. Bug Hunt: Search in and around Van Andel Institute for various bugs, identifying and collecting information about them. Exploration: Explore different habitats to observe bugs in their natural environments and learn about their behaviors. Refund Policy: Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before the start date of your camp. Partial refunds (50% tuition) will be given if requested 7 days or less of the start date of your camp. EventBrite fees are nonrefundable. Information Source: Van Andel Institute for Education | eventbrite