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Prairie Backpack

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

Community Education

Events

  • Community STEM Day

    Location
    Collins Aerospace
    Cost
    FREE
    Organization
    SE Iowa STEM hosted by Collins Aerospace
    Contact
    Jesi Ray
    Email
    jesi.ray@collins.com
    Phone
    (319) 263-8629

    Information

    It is our favorite time of year, Community STEM Day planning. This event will be returning for its 4th year, we can say once again, BIGGER and BETTER! We have the honor of hosting this event on Collins Aerospace campus. This annual event will be held on Thursday July 16th from 9AM- 2PM. This event is STEM Themed and will be geared towards Kindergartners through 12 graders. We will have our Big Top Tent with market style booths set-up outside with engaging activities for students of all ages. We already have over 75 booths registered with more coming in each day. All the booths are hosted by a local business here in the Corridor. The Air Ambulance will be onsite for everyone to check out. We will have numerous in-depth STEM workshops and lab tours available (these will require pre-registration; registration will open the first half of June) please see the attached flyer for distribution. We will also have a large variety of Food Trucks, they will be serving lunch, and desserts for you to purchase. We hope to see you for this great event full of STEM learning and lots of engaging fun.
    For more information you can check : https://se.iowastem.org/community-stem-day
    Please Share with everyone! We are trying to get the word out to everyone to make this event a huge success again this year. Please share to digital backpacks or share in newsletters for any organization you might be a part of. If you know any business/clubs/organizations/other groups that might be interested in joining please share we have spots available for additional booths.

  • Young Eagle Flights for Youth 8-17

    Location
    Cedar Rapids Airport Specific location at registration
    Audience
    youth 8-17
    Organization
    EEA Chapter 33
    Contact
    James Serbousek
    Email
    eaa33youngeagles@gmail.com
    Phone
    (319) 981-2128

    Information

    EAA Chapter 33 hosts events at various airports throughout eastern Iowa during the summer months. June 13th, 2026 is our next event in Cedar Rapids
    -Pre-registration is required at https://www.eaachapters.org/event-details/EI2706BX4
    -seats are limited but we will have a waitlist or additional events this summer.

    Children ages 8-17 are welcome to attend, accompanied by a parent or guardian who will be required to sign permission before the flight. Experienced local pilots will then give your young aspiring aviators the experience of a lifetime – their first airplane ride! Afterwards, a certificate is issued and the flight is entered into the “World’s Largest Logbook”. The “World’s Largest Logbook” and other information on the Young Eagles Program can be viewed online at www.youngeagles.org

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Theatre Cedar Rapids Summer Camps are BACK!

    Organization
    Theatre Cedar Rapids
    Contact
    Mic Evans
    Email
    mic.evans@theatrecr.org
    Phone
    (319) 366-8591

    Information

    TCR Summer Camps are back! There’s something for every student, grades K through 12. Acting, adventures, games, STEAM Week and more!

    All TCR Camps and Classes are on a “Pay What You Can” system. Simply choose the payment option that works best for you at checkout.