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Prairie Backpack

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

Activities

Events

  • 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

  • Get Ready with Girl Scouts – Kindergarten Readiness

    Location
    Cedar Hills Community Church
    Audience
    Pre-K Girls
    Cost
    FREE Girl Scout Membership through September 2027
    RSVP
    May 15, 2026
    Organization
    Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois
    Contact
    Grace Coffman
    Email
    gracec@girlscoutstoday.org
    Phone
    (319) 232-6602

    Information

    Starting kindergarten this fall? Kickoff your journey with Get Ready with Girl Scouts
    a special summer program designed just for NEW Girl Scouts—perfect for making friends
    and beginning your Girl Scout adventure!

  • 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.

  • Write Now: Microstory Writing Contest

    Location
    Virtual
    Cost
    Free
    Organization
    University of Iowa Center for Advancement
    Contact
    Tegan Donahue
    Email
    write.now@foriowa.org
    Phone
    (319) 467-3393

  • CoderDojo with Korriban Squad of the 501st Legion

    Location
    Foundation 2 - 1st Floor Training Rooms - 305 2nd Ave SE. Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
    Audience
    K-5th grade students + families
    Cost
    Free
    RSVP
    May 02, 2026
    Organization
    NewBoCo
    Contact
    Ashley Turner
    Email
    ashley@newbo.co
    Phone
    (319) 412-5222

    Information

    Just days away from “May the forth be with you”, we want to celebrate Star Wars by bringing the Korriban Squad of the 501st Legion. The Legion promotes interest in STAR WARS and facilitates the use of these costumes for STAR WARS-related events as well as contributes to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work, with the Korriban Squad representing the local chapter.

  • CoderDojo at Wellington Heights Community Church

    Location
    1600 4th Ave SE - Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403
    Audience
    K-5th + families
    Cost
    Free
    RSVP
    May 05, 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.

  • CoderDojo with Eastern Iowa Arts Academy

    Location
    Foundation 2 - 305 2nd Ave SE - Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
    Audience
    K-5 Students and Families
    Cost
    Free
    RSVP
    Apr 18, 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.

    Join us and our Eastern Iowa Arts Academy friends to learn about how music and STEM connect!

  • Coe College Men’s Basketball Youth Summer Camps K-8th Grade

    Location
    Kohawk Arena, Coe College, 500 Coe Road
    RSVP
    Jun 15, 2026
    Organization
    Coe College Athletics
    Contact
    Mark Lowe
    Email
    mlowe@coe.edu
    Phone
    (319) 855-2006

    Information

    ur camps are designed to introduce and teach the basic fundamentals of basketball. The camps utilize a variety of innovative teaching methods, drills and games to teach these fundamentals while not losing sight of the primary purpose of camp – TO HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE!