Jared Veldheer - WKTV Journal

By Metro Health Hospital Foundation

The Jared Veldheer Football Camp is ramping up for its fifth season of motivating youngsters while raising funds for Keeping the Beat, a foundation program that provides free cardiac screenings for local high school athletes.

The one-day camp for kids in grades 3 through 8 will be held July 11 at Grand Rapids Christian High School, 2300 Plymouth Ave. SE. The camp, which is from 5:30 — 8 p.m., is conducted by Jared Veldheer, an offensive lineman for the Denver Broncos, with help from area football coaches.

“It’s a joy to work with young athletes and a privilege to share information about heart safety,” said Veldheer, a graduate of Forest Hills Northern High School and Hillsdale College. “By partnering with Metro Health, we can help educate kids and parents about how to stay safe in sports.”

To date, the annual camp has raised more than $87,000 for Keeping the Beat. The program invites area high school athletes to Metro Health physician offices throughout the year for enhanced screenings to identify potential cardiac abnormalities. More than 800 teens have received free heart screenings through Keeping the Beat, which supplements the annual physicals required for all high school athletes.

Cost is $20 per student. While students are in the sports clinic, parents are invited to attend an informational session on sports injuries, concussions and heart screen awareness.

To register, click here.

Local high school graduate Jared Veldheer, now a player for the National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals, will return to the area to host the Metro Health – University of Michigan Health’s Jared Veldheer Football Camp. (Supplied)

By Jennifer Hoff

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

Local high school graduate Jared Veldheer, now a player for the National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals, will return to the area to host the Metro Health – University of Michigan Health’s Jared Veldheer Football Camp.

The camp will be held Tuesday, June 27 from 5:30-8 p.m., at Grand Rapids Christian High School Stadium, 2300 Plymouth Avenue, SE. The cost is $20 per student, and is open to students from third through eighth grade.

Jared Veldheer, in a National Football League game for the Arizona Cardinals. (Supplied)

Veldheer is a team co-captain and left tackle for the Cardinals. In 2014, he was the team MVP. He is a Hillsdale College 2-time All-American and a Forest Hills Northern graduate.

At the camp, Veldheer teams up with area football coaches and Metro Health – University of Michigan Health Sports Medicine for the night of instruction.

“I’m excited to get back to Grand Rapids for another year of this football camp,” Veldheer said. “It is exciting to teach young athletes who have a passion for sports and are eager to learn. More importantly, I’m excited to share my message about playing multiple sports, eating healthy, and being a team player. My goal is to encourage all student athletes to ‘Stay in the Game’.” All proceeds from the camp go to the Keeping the Beat Program.

Dr. Ed Kornoelje, sports medicine medical director for Metro Health – University of Michigan Health will discuss with parents and athletes sports injury prevention.

“Athletics provide a great opportunity for students to learn many skills outside of just their sport,” Kornoelje said. “It is important for all student athletes, and their parents, to understand what it takes to be a healthy athlete. This camp provides a great platform to discuss these items.”

In additional to the on field practice, Veldheer will share his personal message on the drive, focus and discipline it has taken to be one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL.

All participants registered by June 27 will receive a free T-shirt and an autographed book “Stay in the Game — Jared Veldheer’s Journey to the NFL”.

To register, go to metrohealth.net/JaredVeldheerFootballCamp.