Best Volleyball Clinics in Michigan

Looking to serve, set and spike? Families in Southeast Michigan have several excellent volleyball clinics just a short drive away. Whether your child is a total beginner or already sharpening competitive skills, these programs offer expert coaching, structured training and fun in supportive environments. From youth programs in Brighton to elite training in Pontiac, here are several standout clinics that deliver a winning combination of skill-building and play.

Legacy Volleyball Center – Brighton

Legacy offers tiered youth programs spanning 101, Junior, Advanced and Elite levels perfect for beginners through national-level athletes. The 101 and Junior levels focus on foundational skills like passing, setting, serving and attacking. Advanced training dives deeper into technique with higher pace and position-specific drills. Parents appreciate the mix of structured sessions and flexible drop-ins called “Train & Play,” which blend skill practice with competitive play. Coaches range from school-level instructors to club veterans, ensuring personalized attention. Legacy creates a friendly yet focused environment where all players can grow, even those who are brand-new to the game.

• Location: 9299 Goble Dr., Brighton
• Programs: Multiple levels from beginner (101) to Elite; includes Train & Play, drop-ins, sessions by grade level
• Phone: (810) 231-9288
• Hours: 6 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Saturday–Sunday
• Email: info@legacycentermichigan.com

 

Michigan Elite Volleyball Academy – Regional Camps & Clinics

MI Elite is one of Michigan’s largest and most successful youth volleyball clubs, offering extensive camps and clinics. Programs include year-round youth camps, holiday clinics, specialty training and academy-level coaching. Their “Playmakers Setting Academy” and “MNTP” programs offer focused skill development for setters and other positions. Running through fall, winter and summer, these clinics offer flexible entry points and structured progression for improving players. Parents looking for long-term development under elite coaching will find MI Elite a standout choice.

• Locations: 867 S Blvd. E, Pontiac
• Programs: Summer camps, winter clinics, Playmakers Academy, position-specific training
• Phone: (586) 264-3101
• Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; noon-4 p.m. Monday; closed Saturday-Sunday
• Email: staff@mielite.com

Unified Volleyball – Youth Training Programs

Unified Volleyball offers a variety of engaging programs for young athletes, including “SPIKEtime” (ages 2–4), “Mini Stars” (K–5), “Junior League” (5th–8th), and high-school prep leagues and train-and-play groups. Their tiered system ensures activities are age-appropriate and fun, helping build a love for the game early on. They also offer private lessons and competitive club teams for older players. With a strong focus on personal growth and positive learning, Unified Volleyball creates a safe and effective training space for families in the Metro Detroit area.

• Location: 2938 Waterview Dr, Rochester Hills, MI 48309
• Programs: SPIKEtime ages 2–4; Mini Stars K–5; Junior League 5th–8th; Train & Play, HS prep, private lessons
• Hours: 4-10 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon-7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday
• Email: info@unifiedvolleyball.com

High Performance Volleyball Academy – Davisburg Area

High Performance Volleyball Academy (HPVBA) prioritizes personal and athletic growth, offering camps, lessons, and club training. Located north of Metro Detroit, HPVBA provides a structured environment for players to refine technique, practice leadership, and gain competitive experience. Coaches bring extensive expertise, and programs are designed to help athletes reach their full potential on and off the court. This is an excellent choice for families committed to long-term development.

• Location: 200 Mall Dr. East Waterford, MI 48328
• Programs: Camps, lessons, tryouts, year-round training
• Phone: (248) 410-9605
• Email: office.highperformancevba@gmail.com

From Brighton to Warren, these volleyball clinics offer a strong lineup of training for kids at every level. Whether your young player is starting with basic fundamentals or striving for advanced competition, there’s a clinic that matches their needs and schedule. Choose a program, register early, and get ready to watch them grow in skill and confidence.

 

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Does WCCCD offer hands-on learning or just classroom instruction?

Parents considering community college for their child often want to know if students get real-world experience alongside classroom instruction — and the answer is yes, across a wide variety of fields.

“Community colleges are more learning-centered versus that teacher-to-student paradigm,” says CharMaine Hines, Ed.D., Vice Chancellor, Academic Accountability and Policy at Wayne County Community College District. “That differentiates us from our four-year partners.”

Learning in labs and simulators

WCCCD invests in state-of-the-art facilities where students learn by doing:

• Nursing and health sciences students train in clinical simulation labs that mimic real patient care environments. 
• Cybersecurity students work in high-tech labs to practice ethical hacking skills. 
• In advanced manufacturing programs, students program and operate full-scale robotic cells like those found on automotive assembly lines.

Gaining experience in community settings

Some programs bring students into direct contact with the people they will serve:

• Physical therapy students train at a wellness center that’s open to the public, meeting the needs of both an aging population and younger residents focused on health. 
• Culinary arts students prepare and serve meals at WCCCD’s event venue and teaching kitchen. 
• Public safety students, including those studying firefighting and emergency medical services, practice in specialized facilities designed to replicate real-world emergencies.

Why hands-on matters

Hines notes that smaller class sizes mean instructors — many with extensive industry backgrounds — can give one-on-one guidance, helping students apply what they’ve learned right away. 

This approach builds confidence, problem-solving skills, and connections to local employers before graduation.

This content is sponsored by Wayne County Community College District. Learn more about community college for your child at Metro Parent’s Community College Hub.

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Can my teen explore different interests before choosing a major at WCCCD?

Parents wondering if their teen can try out different programs before settling on a major will find plenty of opportunities at Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD).

Some high school graduates know exactly what they want to major in — but many need time and space to explore. WCCCD has built-in ways for students to try different paths before committing to a major.

“We tap students early on in the high schools through our dual enrollment programs,” says CharMaine Hines, Ed.D., Vice Chancellor, Academic Accountability and Policy. 

At recent commencement ceremonies, she notes, students from Cass Tech, Renaissance, Martin Luther King Jr., and Harper Woods high schools earned not just a diploma but also a WCCCD degree or certificate.

Opportunities to discover new interests

Dual enrollment is just one way students can explore. 

WCCCD also invites high school and college-age students to try programs in areas they might not have considered. Culinary arts students, for example, train in a state-of-the-art kitchen and serve meals at community events. 

The downtown Entrepreneur Center offers courses in starting a business — a draw for many Gen Z students.

Other unique options include the fashion design program at the Eastern Campus and the STEM water immersion program, where students earn money in the summer while doing microbiology and chemistry research on Belle Isle. Students in this program are upskilling in the sciences while also building a portfolio of research experience that could inspire new career directions.

By trying out different fields in a low-risk environment, students can make more informed decisions about their long-term goals.

This content is sponsored by Wayne County Community College District. Learn more about community college for your child at Metro Parent’s Community College Hub.

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What kinds of careers can WCCCD programs prepare students for?

Parents often want to know: What kinds of careers can a community college prepare my child for? 

At Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD), which has six campuses across Wayne County, the answer covers a broad range of high-demand fields.

“We prepare students for a plethora of programs,” says CharMaine Hines, Ed.D., Vice Chancellor, Academic Accountability and Policy. “Regionally and nationally, there are shortages in certain fields — health sciences, construction, electrical, welding, trades. We design our offerings to meet those needs.”

Career pathways at WCCCD’s six campuses

At the Downtown Campus, students train in the Cybersecurity Institute, learning skills such as ethical hacking — a role that can pay about $45 an hour. The Health Education and Wellness Center, also downtown, houses Detroit’s first physical therapy program and a functioning wellness facility where students work directly with community members.

The Northwest Campus features Michigan’s only accredited anesthesia technology program and one of the nation’s oldest pharmacy technology programs. “Our nursing programs have a 100% NCLEX pass rate,” Hines notes, referring to the national licensing exam.

The Eastern Campus focuses on construction, welding and robotics, including full-scale robotic cells used in automotive manufacturing. 

The Downriver Campus hosts the Michigan Institute for Public Safety Education, where students train as firefighters, EMTs and police officers. 

Additional programs in business, facility maintenance, automotive technology, and CDL truck driving address regional hiring needs and provide competitive entry-level wages.

“Each of our campuses has state-of-the-art facilities and nationally accredited programs,” Hines says. “That’s how we meet the needs of both students and employers.”

This content is sponsored by Wayne County Community College District. Learn more about community college for your child at Metro Parent’s Community College Hub.

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Target’s 2025 Car Seat Trade-in: Dates, Savings, and What Parents Need to Know

From Sept. 21–Oct. 4, Target will take old car seats — expired, damaged, or outgrown — and give parents a 20% coupon for new baby gear, according to Target’s Car Seat Trade-In FAQ. Here’s how it works, what it covers, and why it matters.

Plan It

• When: Sept. 21–Oct. 4

• Where: Nearly all Target stores (drop-off at Guest Services), according to Target

• Discount: 20% Target Circle bonus, usable twice through Oct. 18, Target states

• Ages/Fit: Applies to all car seats, no matter age/condition (infant, convertible, booster)

• Cost: Free to drop off

Target’s Car-Seat Trade-In program returns Sept. 21–Oct. 4, 2025. Parents can bring in an old, expired or damaged car seat to a participating store and get a 20% Target Circle bonus toward a new seat, stroller, travel system or other select baby gear, according to Target.

To join in, drop your car seat in the designated box near Guest Services, scan the QR code with the Target app, and the bonus will appear in your Circle wallet. Families can use it twice, in store or online, through Oct. 18, Target explains.

The trade-in program has recycled more than 3.5 million car seats since it began in 2016, keeping over 53 million pounds of materials out of landfills, according to a 2025 report from ClickOnDetroit. Target says much of that plastic has been turned into products in its Brightroom, Room Essentials and Pillowfort lines.

This year’s event covers a wide range of gear from brands like Graco, Evenflo, Cloud Island, and up&up. Parents can use the discount on items across nursery furniture, high chairs, swings and more. Some exclusions apply, such as clearance and third-party marketplace items, according to Target’s FAQ.

Alongside the recycling effort, Target is offering new support services for parents. Its Baby Concierge program, powered by Tot Squad, provides free one-on-one guidance — either online or in select stores — on everything from comparing car seats to creating a registry, according to Tot Squad. Target has also teamed up with Cara of Taking Cara Babies, a neonatal nurse and baby sleep expert, to develop a curated registry list.

For families, the trade-in means more than just savings. It’s a chance to safely upgrade car seats, keep waste out of landfills and get support during the early stages of parenthood.

Accessibility/Fit:
Any family can participate, no matter what kind of seat they have or the condition it’s in. This is a stroller- and kid-friendly errand, since many families bring children along when shopping at Target.

Pricing Clarity:
A 20% coupon can make a real difference. For example, a $200 car seat purchase would drop to $160 with the trade-in discount.

FAQ:
What qualifies for trade-in? Infant seats, convertible seats, boosters and bases, no matter the condition.
What can I buy with the coupon? New car seats, strollers, travel systems and select nursery and baby gear.
How long do I have to use it? Through Oct. 18, 2025, and you can use it twice.

Why it matters
Beyond the savings, the trade-in helps reduce waste. By recycling millions of seats, parents are keeping plastics out of landfills and helping them get reused in new products, according to ClickOnDetroit.

Updated September 2025

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Parents will now be able to find Jellycat’s cuddly toys at Nordstrom Michigan Avenue

Jellycat is opening a shop-in-shop at Nordstrom Michigan Avenue on Sept. 30, 2025. 

The immersive “Road Trip to Joy” experience will feature beloved plush characters  including the Nordstrom-exclusive Carrot Cake, a playful nod to nostalgic roadside stops.

So what is Jellycat? 

According to its website, Jellycat describes itself as a London-based maker of “the softest toys you have ever hugged, cuddled and adored.” 

According to Jellycat, its toys are sold in more than 77 countries worldwide, with a network of independent shops, department stores and specialty retailers. In the U.K. alone, Jellycat has been stocked by over 1,200 independent stores.

The Details

Opening date: Sept. 30
Location: Nordstrom Michigan Avenue, 55 E Grand Ave., Chicago

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2025 Winter Break Dates for Detroit Public Schools Community District

With the academic year in full swing, winter break is just around the corner. Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) students will receive two weeks off from school, and with a little planning, you’ll be able to make the most out of your holiday break.

Below are the 2025 winter break dates for Detroit Public Schools Community District, along with some enjoyable activities that will have your family soaking up every second of holiday break.

Winter break dates for Detroit Public Schools Community District

Start date: Dec. 22, 2025
End date: Jan. 2, 2026
Back to school date: Jan. 5, 2026

Winter break activities in metro Detroit

Want to fill your holiday break with winter fun? Here are some ideas guaranteed to keep your kids making memories all break long.

• Paint at the zoo. Explore sculpting, drawing and painting at the Detroit Zoo during their Winter Safari Camp, where students engage with STEAM activities centered around their favorite animals.
• Go ice skating. Visit Campus Martius and sharpen your skating skills with a view of Detroit’s Christmas tree.
• Attend a sports camp. Visit High-Velocity Sports during one of their School Break Fun Days and spend the day throwing a football or shooting hoops with friends.
• Visit the museum. Catch a break from the cold at the Michigan Science Center, featuring an interactive play area, a variety of unique galleries and an IMAX Dome Theatre showing rotating movies for kids.

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