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Prairie Backpack

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

High School

Events

  • Just Jazz Concert

    Location
    PHS Concert Hall
    Cost
    $10, include ticket and dessert reception following the concert
    Organization
    Prairie High School Music Department
    Contact
    Trish Beightler
    Email
    tbeightler@crprairie.org
    Phone
    (319) 848-5310

    Information

    On Friday, April 24, the Prairie High School Jazz Bands and 9th Grade Center Jazz Band will present their final concert of the year, Just Jazz, beginning at 7pm in the Concert Hall. We hope you can join us for a night of great music which includes dessert following the performance. We will also be recognizing 15 outstanding seniors in our jazz program.

    Tickets are $10 and are available online through the PMA Website, or at the door on the night of the concert (Activity passes are not accepted). All proceeds from this event help support Prairie Music Association, which directly impacts all music students in grades K-12 at College Community. We hope to see you there!

  • Camp Tanager — Diabetes Day and Overnight Camp Program

    Location
    Camp Tanager, 1614 West Mount Vernon Road, Mount Vernon, IA 52314
    Audience
    Campers with Type 1 Diabetes
    Cost
    Sliding Scale Fee
    RSVP
    Jun 12, 2026
    Organization
    Camp Tanager
    Contact
    Donald Pirrie
    Email
    campmail@tanagerplace.org
    Phone
    (319) 286-4510

    Information

    Calling all young T1D Adventurers! Join us for an unforgettable week at our summer camp filled with exciting outdoor activities, arts and crafts, sports and endless fun. Don’t miss this opportunity to create lasting memories, friends and learn about your Type 1 Diabetes in a supportive and medically supervised T1D Summer camp program. Day and Overnight Programs are available! Sliding Scale Fee allows all campers to attend regardless of income.

  • Prairie Color Guard Try Outs

    Location
    Prairie High School North Gym
    Audience
    Color Guard is open to all current 9-11th grade students
    Organization
    Prairie Hawks Marching Band
    Contact
    Michele Formanek
    Email
    mformanek@crprairie.org
    Phone
    (319) 270-4547

    Information

    Try Outs will be held April 21st & 22nd to join our 2026-2027 Color Guard. Color Guard is a performance art that combines choreographed movement, flags, rifles, and sabres with music, performed by our award winning Prairie Hawks Marching Band!
    Joining the Color Guard can be a rewarding experience, offering opportunities for performance, travel, and building lasting friendships.

  • CHADD of Iowa Conference

    Location
    DMACC Des Moines Community College, Ankeny, Iowa 50023
    Audience
    Adults with ADHD, parents/guardians, educators, professionals
    Cost
    Registration: $50 CHADD members $75 non-CHADD members · Family price, add an additional family member for only $50 Professionals/practitioners: $150 (Contact Hours optional with secondary registration through Heartland AEA) Exhibit Hall booth rental: $100 (includes one registration)
    RSVP
    Apr 18, 2026
    Organization
    CHADD of Iowa (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) chapter. Our chapter is committed to supporting individuals and families affected by ADHD through education, connection, and evidence-based resources.
    Contact
    Kathy Harriott
    Email
    kjharriott5@gmail.com
    Phone
    (319) 551-8352

    Information

    CHADD of Iowa is happy to present a dynamic and empowering in-person event being held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, 9am to 4pm, at the DMACC Enrichment Center, 1155 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny, IA 50023.
    Join us as we welcome our professionals and their valuable content:
    • Jeremy Didier: Making ADHD a positive in your life
    • Dr. Max Wiznitzer: New adult ADHD guidelines
    • Dr. Nate Noble: After the diagnosis – progress monitoring of the diagnosis
    • Heidi Stoffel: ADHD characteristics in co-morbid conditions
    • Robin Nordmeyer & Alicia Kohls: Executive functioning in the workplace and Executive Functioning-Transition from High School to Post-Secondary with Robin
    • Nick Swanson: Behavior management in the home

  • 2026 Czech Heritage Foundation Royal Court – Apply Now

    Location
    www.CzechHeritageFoundation.com/RoyalCourt
    RSVP
    May 01, 2026
    Organization
    Czech Heritage Foundation
    Contact
    Holly Robe
    Email
    hrobe@amfam.com
    Phone
    (319) 573-8382

    Information

    Applicants must reside in Iowa and be able to attend events in Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas. Apply online at www.CzechHeritageFoundation.com/RoyalCourt or email hrobe@amfam.com for details.

  • Earth Day Celebration

    Location
    Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation, 4521 Boy Scouts Road, Central City, IA 52214
    Audience
    open to all
    Cost
    free
    Organization
    Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation
    Contact
    Maureen Marron
    Email
    maureen.marron.ia@gmail.com
    Phone
    (319) 512-9948

    Information

    Youth and families have the opportunity to learn from area experts in geology, astronomy, sustainability, conservation science, watersheds, amphibians, mushrooms and fungi, birding, and more. Many stations have hands-on activities that demonstrate or reinforce the scientific ideas presented at the stations. The event is open to the public and families are encouraged to spend the afternoon with the exhibitors and taking guided hikes.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.