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Prairie Backpack

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

Middle School

Events

  • In-person Czech Language Classes for Youth

    Location
    National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 1400 Inspiration Place SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
    Audience
    students age 7-18
    Cost
    members ($40), non-members ($50)
    RSVP
    Jun 10, 2026
    Organization
    National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
    Contact
    S. Urban
    Email
    info@ncsml.org
    Phone
    (319) 362-8500

    Information

    6/22-6/25/2026 Looking for a fun, meaningful way for your child to learn Czech this summer? Our in-person intensive Czech course is back and offers children and teens an exciting opportunity to improve their language skills while having fun and making new friends.

    Morning classes combine focused language learning with interactive games, creative activities, and hands-on tasks that keep students motivated and engaged. Through role-playing, team challenges, and playful exercises, students naturally build vocabulary, practice speaking, and gain confidence in using Czech in real-life situations.

    Whether your child is just starting out or already knows some Czech, this course provides a warm, supportive environment where learning feels enjoyable and rewarding. Students don’t just learn the language – they experience Czech culture, connect with others, and leave the course feeling more confident, curious, and inspired.

    The classes will be taught by Kristýna Horáčková, a Czech language lecturer with over 14 years of experience teaching Czech as a foreign language. Kristýna holds a degree in Czech Language and Literature from Charles University in Prague. While living in Prague, she worked in language schools and non-profit organizations, gaining extensive experience with students from around the world. In addition to teaching, she is also actively involved in the professional development of teachers and lecturers. Kristýna is currently teaching at the T. G. Masaryk Czech School in Chicago as part of the Compatriot Education Programme, which sends Czech teachers abroad to promote the language and culture.

  • Youth Rugby Camp

    Location
    Field Across From Prairie Hill Elementary School
    Audience
    15+
    Cost
    $30
    RSVP
    May 29, 2026
    Organization
    Cedar Rapids Prairie Rugby Club
    Contact
    Adam Ruff
    Email
    adamruff405@gmail.com
    Phone
    (319) 540-3660

    Information

    Ready to Try Rugby This Summer?

    The YMCA of the Cedar Rapids Metro Area and Prairie Hawks Rugby Club Coaches are excited to offer an Introduction to Rugby Co-Ed Camp for incoming 6th–8th graders!

    This 6-week camp is a great opportunity for boys and girls to learn the basics of rugby in a fun, safe, and supportive environment. No experience is needed! Players will learn passing, teamwork, movement, game fundamentals, and have fun staying active this summer.

    📅 Dates: June 3 – July 8
    📍 Location: Field Across from Prairie Hill Elementary School
    🕕 Time: Wednesdays from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
    👥 Grades: Incoming 6th–8th Grade Students (2026–2027 school year)
    💲 Cost: $30 per participant

    The camp is hosted by local Prairie Hawks Rugby Club coaches and is open to all skill levels. Rugby is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country and a great way to build confidence, teamwork, fitness, and friendships.

    Questions or want to register?
    Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit the YMCA program page.

  • Cedar Rapids Reads: Summer Reading Challenge

    Cost
    FREE
    Organization
    Cedar Rapids Public Library
    Contact
    Amber McNamara
    Email
    mcnamaraa@crlibrary.org
    Phone
    (319) 739-0404

    Information

    Celebrate the love of reading all summer long! The Cedar Rapids Public Library Summer Reading Challenge starts June 6 and runs through August 8, 2026. Read 600 minutes to complete the Challenge and be entered to win a grand prize! Enjoy special events for all ages, earn reading badges, and visit the library for prizes. Explore the many events all summer long for all ages: CRLibrary.org/summer

  • FREE Cedar Rapids Municipal Band Concerts in the Parks

    Location
    See flyer for details.
    Audience
    Family-friendly and open to all ages
    Cost
    FREE
    Organization
    Cedar Rapids Municipal Band
    Contact
    Heidi Haney
    Email
    crmuniband@gmail.com
    Phone
    (319) 651-4783

    Information

    Join us for eighteen FREE concert band performances in five metro locations this summer. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and listen to marches, overtures, comtemporary pieces, and movie medleys. Each concert is one hour long and we have a different program each week. The band includes Prairie staff, students, and alumni.

  • American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life Trashmore Trek

    Location
    Mount Trashmore, 2250 A Street SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
    Audience
    all students, families, community
    RSVP
    Jun 13, 2026
    Organization
    American Cancer Society (Tax ID Number: 13-1788491)
    Contact
    Haley Huntington
    Email
    haley.huntington@cancer.org
    Phone
    (319) 248-0047

    Information

    We are challenging our community to step up—literally—for the fight against cancer at the Trashmore Trek. Gather your friends, family, or coworkers and build a team to take on the ultimate challenge: trekking up and down Mount Trashmore where every step represents hope, strength, and our commitment to ending cancer. Along the way, you’ll celebrate survivors, remember loved ones, and make an impact in the lives of those facing cancer. Are you ready to take the trek? Volunteer opportunities are available for students! Visit our website RelayForLife.org/LinnCountyIA for more details.

  • Prairie Youth Volleyball Camp

    Location
    Prairie Point Middle School Gym
    Audience
    2nd - 4th Graders (Current Grades) and 5th - 7th Graders (Current Grades)
    Cost
    $75 per athlete
    RSVP
    Jun 05, 2026
    Organization
    Prairie High School Volleyball Team
    Contact
    Coach Mulherin
    Email
    mmulherin@crprairie.org
    Phone
    (319) 848-5340

    Information

    Have fun and learn volleyball skills at the Prairie High School Volleyball Camp. NEW LOCATION: Prairie Point Middle School

  • Metro STEAM Academy Weather Balloon Launch

    Location
    Cedar Rapids Downtown Public Library LivingLearning Roof
    Audience
    All ages, K-12, STEM learners and educators
    Cost
    Free
    Organization
    Cedar Amateur Astronomers
    Contact
    Gordon Baustian
    Email
    gordonbaustian@gmail.com
    Phone
    (319) 721-0659

    Information

    In collaboration with the Eastern Iowa Cosmic Conference, the Metro STEAM Academy is launching a Weather Balloon from the LivingLearning Roof of the Cedar Rapids Downtown Public Library on May 16, 2026.

    Launch pep starts at 9:30 AM with the launch at 10:00AM. Come watch and learn how and why this is done to study our atmosphere and how this relates to Astronomy. The students will be tracking the balloon’s flight using onboard tracking telemetry and you can follow the flight as it approached 100,00 ft over Eastern Iowa. Learn about the experiment the students are doing using onboad beetles that will be launched with the balloon.

  • Eastern Iowa Cosmic Conference

    Location
    The DoubleTree Hotel and Convention Complex, Downtown Cedar Rapids
    Audience
    All ages and learners and educators
    Cost
    The morning lectures are free. The afternoon session is $40 for a family of up to 4.
    Organization
    Cedar Amateur Astronomers
    Contact
    Gordon Baustian
    Email
    gordonbaustian@gmail.com
    Phone
    (319) 721-0659

    Information

    Two free open to the public presentations: 10:45 AM, Dr. Ryan French about Space Hazards and 11:45 AM Dr. Dominic Benford about Exoplanets. A Weather Balloon launch at 10:00 AM at from the LivingLearning Roof of the Cedar Rapids Public Downtown Library. Plus many other activities from 1-4 PM including a portable planetarium, 5 NASA Solar Ambassadors, Hands on Activities from the Van Allen Observatory Team at the Univeristy of Iowa and more.

  • Cedar Amateur Astronomers Public Night

    Location
    Palisades-Dows Preserve at 1365 Ivanhoe Road.
    Audience
    All ages and learners
    Cost
    Free
    Organization
    Cedar Amatuer Astronomers
    Contact
    Gordon Baustian
    Email
    gordonbaustian@gmail.com
    Phone
    (319) 721-0659

    Information

    Dr. Dustin Swarm will discuss Dying White Dwarf Stars: When stars die, that isn’t the end of the story. Stellar corpses can reanimate in the presence of a companion star. I research a type of reanimated stellar corpse: accreting white dwarfs. White dwarfs are the most common type of stellar remnant. When white dwarfs pull material (accrete) from a nearby star, they produce light from optical to X-rays. I will discuss my research of X-ray emission from a variety of accreting white dwarf systems to understand these undead stars.

  • Prairie Soccer Club 11U and 12U Tryouts for 2026-2027 Season

    Location
    Donald J. Bergman Golf and Recreation Complex lower soccer field at the corner of 76th Ave. and Kirkwood Blvd. (use the road at the South Entrance to Kirkwood CC Campus off Kirkwood Blvd. to access the parking lot and field).
    Audience
    Middle School and Intermediate School students.
    Cost
    $25.00
    RSVP
    Jun 01, 2026
    Organization
    Prairie Soccer Club (PSC Iowa)
    Contact
    Steven Robertson
    Email
    steven.robertson@psciowa.com
    Phone
    (319) 533-0589

    Information

    Tryouts are for any player born between August 1, 2014 and July 31, 2016 (12U and 11U).

    Tryouts will be held on June 1 & 4 2026 (make-up date is June 9) and are conducted by the PSC Iowa coaching staff. Players trying out for these teams need to register for tryouts on the PSC Iowa website by May 17 in order to guarantee a properly sized tryout shirt. Walk up registrations are accepted but you may not get a shirt at the site. Tryouts will be conducted at the Kirkwood lower soccer field on the corner of 76th Ave. SW and Kirkwood Blvd. (the South Entrance to Kirkwood Community College).

    In order to be placed on a team for the 2026-2027 season, it is highly recommended to attend one of the tryout dates.