post.thumbnail.alt

Prairie Backpack

College Community School District’s “green” approach to distributing information from school sponsored activities and non-profit organizations.

Events

  • Prairie Creek Running Club

    Location
    Prairie High School Track
    Audience
    Intermediate Students (5-6)
    Cost
    Free
    RSVP
    Apr 26, 2026
    Organization
    Prairie Track & Field
    Contact
    Matthew Lorenz
    Email
    mattlorenz@crprairie.org
    Phone
    (319) 491-4763

    Information

    Join us for a fun opportunity to stay active, make friends, and build running skills! Prairie Cross Country and Track & Field invites any Creek student to join us on Sunday evenings in April/ May from 5:00- 6:00 pm at the Prairie High School Track. (If there is bad weather, we’ll move indoors for activities.)

  • Cub Scout Paper Rocket Launch & Learn About Scouting

    Audience
    Castek Park, Swisher, IA
    Cost
    Free!
    Organization
    Cub Scout Pack 37
    Contact
    John Palmer
    Email
    crpack37@gmail.com
    Phone
    (319) 244-8677

    Information

    Cub Scout Pack 37 invites local families to a hands-on Paper Rocket Launch at Castek Park on Saturday, April 11, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

    Kids can build and launch paper rockets powered by air pressure while learning basic STEM concepts in a fun outdoor setting. Pack leaders will be available to guide participants and answer questions.

    This event is open to current Cub Scouts, siblings, and friends, as well as families interested in learning more about Cub Scouting. Stop by anytime during the event to participate and meet Pack 37.

    No experience is needed and materials will be provided.

    Please note: Park restrooms may not be open yet for the season. Families may want to plan accordingly.

  • 3rd Annual Maker Fest

    Location
    Downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library
    Audience
    k-12, STEM/STEAM learners and educators
    Cost
    Free
    Organization
    Cedar Rapids Public Library
    Contact
    Alison Gowans
    Email
    gowansa@crlibrary.org
    Phone
    (319) 739-0406

    Information

    Join the library and community partners for the third annual Maker Fest. This year’s festival will celebrate space. Families can enjoy a wide range of crafts and activities that feature outer space, the stars, and maker technology.

    Collins Aerospace and the University of Iowa’s Astronomy Lab and Observatory staff will provide fun, space-related crafts and information about the work they do in the community. People can view an exhibit from the Collins Aerospace Museum in the Skywalk Gallery, exploring items the company worked on for the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions.

    The University of Iowa’s School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability will bring meteorites and other space-related rocks to view, and the American Society of Civil Engineers will hand out STEM kits.

    The Cedar Amateur Astronomer’s will have solar telescopes on the LivingLearning Roof, weather permitting, to look at solar activity, as well as a cut-away telescope to demonstrate how that technology works. They will also be showing NASA’s “Artemis 1” documentary series throughout the event.

    The Star Lab Planetarium from the Curiosity Path will have 20-minute movies and demonstrations on a variety of space topics. The dome can fit up to 30 people at a time. Wristbands are required for this activity and will be handed out 15 minutes before the event starts.

    Throughout the library, patrons will be able to get first-hand experience with the library’s maker tools, whether that is crafting a space themed button, creating a planet with a Doodle pen, or building a laser-cut wooden astronaut.

    Maker Fest is generously supported by Presenting Sponsor Bankers Trust and Innovator Sponsors Sunrise Builders & Alliant Energy

  • CoderDojo with Henry Morray Blackout Poetry and Collaging

    Location
    Foundation 2 - 305 2nd Ave SE. Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401.
    Audience
    K-5th students and families
    Cost
    Free
    RSVP
    Mar 21, 2026
    Organization
    NewBoCo
    Contact
    Ashley Turner
    Email
    ashley@newbo.co
    Phone
    (319) 412-5222

    Information

    CoderDojo is a free, hands-on program designed for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade who are curious about STEM. Children can explore a variety of science, technology, engineering, and math-themed stations at their own pace, with friendly mentors available to help them get started. It’s all about learning through creativity, curiosity, and play.

  • Chick Fil A Westdale Spirit Night-Pay off Unpaid School Meal Balances

    Location
    Chick Fil A Westdale, 2610 Edgewood Road SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
    Audience
    All grades
    Organization
    CCSD Food and Nutrition Department
    Contact
    Ginny Scott
    Email
    vscott@crprairie.org
    Phone
    (319) 848-5337

    Information

    10% or more of attributed sales are directed towards paying off unpaid school meal balances.
    April 27, 2026 5-8pm
    Visit in person or order online. See the flyer for more details.

  • 5K4K9

    Location
    3111 N 10th St Marion IA
    Audience
    All ages!
    Cost
    $25 for those over 18 and $15 for those participating in the kids' fun run.
    RSVP
    Apr 17, 2026
    Organization
    Marion Police Department
    Contact
    Willow Botsford
    Email
    9073@marionpolice.com
    Phone
    (319) 377-1511

    Information

    5K4K9 fun run/walk hosted by the Marion Police Department. The family-friendly community event will be held at Linn-Mar High School and include bounce houses, a kids’ fun run, and the 5K event. Be sure to stick around to see the MPD K9s and their handlers in action. Event activities start at 9 a.m.
    The cost is $25 for those over 18 and $15 for those participating in the kids’ fun run. Register via the city website at cityofmarion.org/5k4k9
    Proceeds from this event will help support the Police Department’s K9 program and the creation of a new Crisis K9 team. The Crisis K9 is specially trained to provide emotional support and comfort to individuals, families and first responders during times of crisis. From traumatic incidents to community emergencies, this resource plays an important role in supporting both residents and staff.

  • Prairie Show Choir Camp

    Location
    Prairie High School Choir Rooms
    Audience
    Entering (Fall 2026) 2nd - 9th Graders
    Cost
    $175
    RSVP
    Jun 15, 2026
    Organization
    Prairie Show Choirs/Prairie Music Association
    Contact
    Justin Sands
    Email
    jsands@crprairie.org
    Phone
    (319) 848-5340

    Information

    Join us for three days of singing and dancing at the Prairie Show Choir Camp, June 29-July 1. The camp is led by the Prairie Show Choir Directors, choreographer Jennifer Toney, and high school show choir students. We learn songs, choreography, and have fun sharpening our performance skills! Don’t miss it!

  • Clover University Summer Day Camps

    Location
    Johnson County Extension Office (3109 Old Hwy 218 S., Iowa City)
    Audience
    Elementary school students
    Cost
    $33
    Organization
    Johnson County 4-H
    Contact
    Jillian Nafziger
    Email
    jmnaf@iastate.edu
    Phone
    (319) 337-2145

  • The Corridor Jazz Concert

    Location
    Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids
    Audience
    students and families
    Cost
    $15 for adults, students are free!
    RSVP
    Mar 09, 2026
    Organization
    KCCK-FM
    Contact
    Dennis Green
    Email
    dennis.green@kirkwood.edu
    Phone
    (319) 329-2826

    Information

    21 High School Jazz bands (including Prairie Jazz Band one) perform in Iowa’s biggest jazz concert! The Corridor Jazz Concert matches high school bands with top adult players who have a professional recording studio experience and performance on one of the Corridor’s best stages. Eleven bands, including Prairie perform March 9 at the Paramount Theatre. The other ten take the stage March 10 in the Voxman Hall of Music at the University of Iowa.

  • Red Shoe Run & Walk 5K

    Location
    Lower City Park, Iowa CIty
    Audience
    Families and participants of all ages
    Cost
    $20-45
    RSVP
    Apr 01, 2026
    Organization
    Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois
    Contact
    Heather Younker
    Email
    hyounker@rmhc-eiwi.org
    Phone
    (319) 500-7642

    Information

    Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois proudly presents the 42nd Annual Red Shoe Run & Walk 5K!

    This annual event raises critical funds and awareness to support our mission of keeping families close to each other—and close to the care they need—when they need it the most.

    Participants can run, walk, or join virtually, making this a truly family-friendly event open to all ages and ability levels. Strollers and leashed pets are welcome. Race begins and ends at Lower City Park in Iowa City. On-site festivities include pre-race snacks, a kids zone, and awards for top runners across multiple age groups. After the race, stick around and enjoy a FREE lunch on us!