Prairie Backpack
College Community School District’s “green” approach to distributing information from school sponsored activities and non-profit organizations.
Events
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Cub Scout Paper Rocket Launch & Learn About Scouting
- Audience
- Castek Park, Swisher, IA
- Cost
- Free!
- Organization
- Cub Scout Pack 37
- Contact
- John Palmer
- 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.
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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
- 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.
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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
- 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
- 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!
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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
- jmnaf@iastate.edu
- Phone
- (319) 337-2145
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ExploreU
- Location
- Iowa City West High School
- Audience
- Girls completing 6,7 and 8th grade
- Cost
- $120
- Organization
- ExploreU
- Contact
- Elizabeth Kleiman
- exploreustem@gmail.com
- Phone
- (319) 467-1906
Information
ExploreU is a week-long, STEM program for middle school girls completing 6th, 7th and 8th grade, held annually in the summer. The program is designed to help young girls learn math and computer science skills while having fun.
During the program, students use Scratch software to analyze patterns and learn the fundamentals of programming. This program teaches important mathematical and computational ideas while helping girls to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively.
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Project Creating Responsive Action Through Empowering Resources and Strategies (CRATERS)
- Location
- University of Iowa's College of Public Health 145 North Riverside Drive Iowa City, IA
- Audience
- middle school and high school students
- RSVP
- Mar 27, 2026
- Organization
- The University of Iowa-College of Public Health
- Contact
- Ebonee Johnson, Ph.D.
- ebonee-johnson@uiowa.edu
- Phone
- (319) 335-5188
Information
Mental Health Training Developed For Teens By Teens
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Summer Camp at Camp Bear Creek
- Location
- 9106 42nd Ave., Wyoming, IA 52362
- Audience
- Grades K-12
- Cost
- Pricing is based on program selected
- Organization
- Camp Bear Creek
- Contact
- Stacie Hoppman
- office@bearcreek.camp
- Phone
- (563) 488-3893
Information
Camp Bear Creek is a Christian summer camp located in Jones County, Iowa. We have summer camp programs for kids in kindergarten through 12th grade! Campers will get to experience a variety of activities like archery, kayaking, climbing tower, zip lines, hiking, crafts, Bible study, worship, swimming, and more!
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Camp Tanager – Free Overnight Summer Camps for kids 5-11 years!
- Location
- Camp Tanager, 1614 West Mount Vernon Road, Mount Vernon, IA 52314
- Audience
- Campers ages 5-11 years
- Cost
- Free (based on eligibility)
- RSVP
- Apr 30, 2026
- Organization
- Camp Tanager
- Contact
- Donald Pirrie
- Phone
- (319) 286-4510
Information
Parents—ready to get your kids off the couch and into the great outdoors this summer?
At Camp Tanager, kids ages 6 to 11 unplug from screens and plug into real fun—like swimming, team-building games, group adventures, and fresh weekly themes that keep things exciting all summer long!
Our Free Overnight Summer Camp Program is available to families that qualify for free/reduced school meals and offers weekly sessions June 7 to August 7—so there’s plenty of time to play, grow, and make amazing new friends! For our youngest campers (5-7 years) we also offer a 2 day overnight program to give them a short but fun packed camp experience!
Spots fill up fast—visit camptanager.org today and give your child a summer they’ll never forget!
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Camp Tanager — Summer DAY CAMP Programs for kids ages 5-11 Years! Sign Up Today!
- Location
- Camp Tanager, 1614 West Mount Vernon Road, Mount Vernon, IA 52314
- Audience
- Campers ages 5-11 Years
- Cost
- $250 per week
- RSVP
- Jun 01, 2026
- Organization
- Camp Tanager
- Contact
- Donald Pirrie
- Phone
- (319) 286-4510
Information
Parents—ready to get your kids off the couch and into the great outdoors this summer?
At Camp Tanager, kids ages 6 to 11 unplug from screens and plug into real fun—like swimming, team-building games, group adventures, and fresh weekly themes that keep things exciting all summer long!
Day Camp runs Monday through Friday, June 8 to August 7—so there’s plenty of time to play, grow, and make amazing new friends!
Spots fill up fast—visit camptanager.org today and give your child a summer they’ll never forget!