Digital Backpack for Southeast Polk
Stay Informed About Local Opportunities
The Southeast Polk Digital Backpack is our “green” approach to distributing information about student-focused community activities, events and opportunities. Check back often as new events are added weekly!
September 17, 2026
Early Childhood Music Exploration
Details:
Kids discover the joy of music through singing, movement, games, and instruments. Each class builds rhythm, coordination, and creativity in a fun, playful way.September 19, 2026
Dozer Days
Details:
Dozer Day® is a one-of-a-kind, family-friendly event that allows kids to hop into the driver’s seat of real construction equipment—dozers, excavators, backhoes, and more—with professional operators guiding them! More than just fun—Dozer Day promotes careers in construction and raises money for chariSeptember 27, 2026
Watercolor Workshop: Creating the Illusion of Depth
Details:
In this workshop, we’ll discuss techniques to achieve visual depth and a sense of space within our paintings by starting with loose flowing strokes and slowly moving towards the fine, specific details. We’ll put the ideas we explore to practice by painting a landscape.September 27, 2026
Roots Volleyball Academy
Details:
Youth Volleyball Fundamentals Clinic - Grades K-8 Join us this September/October for an exciting 4-week volleyball journey designed specifically for young athletes! Our Sunday clinic series focuses on building essential volleyball skills while creating a positive and encouraging environment.September 28, 2026
Birch Tree Painting Class
Details:
This class will demonstrate various acrylic painting techniques on watercolor paper to create textural birch trees. You’ll play with soft washes, layering colors and creating texture with a palette knife. Feel free to make it your own by adding a sunset sky or, maybe, reflections in water below theOctober 1, 2026
Heartland Youth Choir
Details:
Heartland Youth Choir is holding Try It Out! for kids ages 4-18 to join a rehearsal for free. This event provides an educational benefit to children by working with a professional staff and a social benefit to allow children to collaborate with others who enjoy the same interests.October 1, 2026
Try It Out! with Heartland Youth Choir
Details:
Heartland Youth Choir invites singers in grades K–12 to free Try It Out rehearsals. This event provides educational benefits through professional music instruction and social benefits through collaboration with peers who share an interest in music.October 5, 2026
Powerful Tools for Caregivers of Children with Special Health and Behavioral Needs
Details:
Powerful Tools for Caregivers of Children with Special Health and Behavioral Needs is an evidence-based program that helps caregivers reduce stress, build confidence, and strengthen caregiving skills. Use code CANCERIOWA for caregivers of cancer survivors. Iowa foster parent credit available.October 6, 2026
Swirling Skies “A Starry Night” Workshop
Details:
In this imaginative painting class, we’ll explore how to create a swirling, star-filled sky inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night. You’ll learn how to build a wispy, expressive background full of movement and color, then add details that bring your night sky to life. For the landscape, youOctober 7, 2026
Rams Youth Skills Clinic – 2nd, 3rd, 4th Grades (Begins Sep 9)
Details:
Learn new skills, play fun games, LOVE VOLLEYBALL! Drills and games will be led by Southeast Polk High School coaches and players!!! Sessions (5) - 1 hour each (fee covers all 5 sessions) Dates: - September 9, 16, 23, 30 - October 7 Facebook "sepramsclubvball" * Registration through Web Link *October 7, 2026
Rams 7th Grade Skills Clinic – (Begins Sep 9)
Details:
Drills and games will be led by Southeast Polk High School and Club coaches and players!!! Sessions (5) - 1.5 hours each (fee covers all 5 sessions) Times: 7:00-8:30 PM Dates: - September 9, 16, 23, 30 - October 7 Facebook "sepramsclubvball" * Registration through Web Link *October 8, 2026
Early Childhood Music Exploration
Details:
Kids discover the joy of music through singing, movement, games, and instruments. Each class builds rhythm, coordination, and creativity in a fun, playful way.October 11, 2026
Pond Scene Watercolor
Details:
Explore the beauty of dragonflies and water lilies in this mixed media painting class. We’ll experiment with loose watercolor washes and expressive ink outlines, focusing on capturing the essence of our subjects rather than precise details.October 14, 2026
Fall Pumpkin Needle Felting Workshopa
Details:
Experience the art of needle felting! You’ll learn techniques to create beautiful felted wool artwork using just wool and a needle in this beginner-friendly workshop. Follow along step-by-step to create a pair of adorable pumpkins, or create freely with a rainbow of colors!October 17, 2026
Perry Outreach Program
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The Perry Initiative inspires young people to be leaders in Orthopaedic Surgery and Engineering by partnering with medical centers, universities, and high schools nationwideOctober 20, 2026
Pumpkin Painting: Color and Light
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Explore color theory and lighting through the art of painting pumpkins. Students will practice mixing colors to create a realistic, lifelike pumpkin while learning how light and shadow influence color, depth, and dimension.October 28, 2026
Coffee Cup Mix Media
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In this class, you will create a colorful coffee-themed canvas. We will start by building a unique background using napkins, tissue paper, and lightweight ephemera with layering. Then, applying a light wash of acrylic color to bring the background together.October 29, 2026
WiSE Go Further Girl’s STEM Conference Fall 2026
Details:
This conference is for all students in grades 7-10 who are interested in exploring STEM opportunities through hands-on activities at Iowa State University. Students will have the opportunity to learn from and interact with university and industry experts about STEM majors.November 15, 2026
Kids Color Pencil Animal Drawings
Details:
Students will explore the colorful world of animal art in this fun and creative colored pencil drawing class! Students will learn basic drawing techniques, shading, blending, and texture while creating their favorite animals step-by-step.November 15, 2026
Kids Landscapes
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oung artists will explore the beauty of nature as they create their own colorful acrylic landscape painting. Students will learn basic painting techniques, including color mixing, blending, and creating depth, while expressing their creativity on canvas.November 18, 2026
Foxy Fall Pumpkins Painting Workshop
Details:
In this fun and relaxed step-by-step class, you’ll learn simple canvas painting techniques—from shading realistic, vibrant pumpkins to capturing the charming expression of a sleeping red fox.November 19, 2026
Early Childhood Music Exploration
Details:
Kids discover the joy of music through singing, movement, games, and instruments. Each class builds rhythm, coordination, and creativity in a fun, playful way.December 28, 2026
School’s Out safari
Details:
School’s Out Safari Camps are single day camps that take place throughout the school year on days when metro schools are out for holidays or teacher professional development including winter and spring breaks. During these camps, campers will explore the Zoo, meet some animals and participate in hanDecember 29, 2026
School’s Out Safari
Details:
School’s Out Safari Camps are single day camps that take place throughout the school year on days when metro schools are out for holidays or teacher professional development including winter and spring breaks. During these camps, campers will explore the Zoo, meet some animals and participate in hanDecember 30, 2026
School’s Out Safari
Details:
School’s Out Safari Camps are single day camps that take place throughout the school year on days when metro schools are out for holidays or teacher professional development including winter and spring breaks. During these camps, campers will explore the Zoo, meet some animals and participate in hanDecember 31, 2026
School’s Out Safari
Details:
School’s Out Safari Camps are single day camps that take place throughout the school year on days when metro schools are out for holidays or teacher professional development including winter and spring breaks. During these camps, campers will explore the Zoo, meet some animals and participate in hanJanuary 18, 2027
School’s Out Safari
Details:
School’s Out Safari Camps are single day camps that take place throughout the school year on days when metro schools are out for holidays or teacher professional development including winter and spring breaks. During these camps, campers will explore the Zoo, meet some animals and participate in hanFebruary 15, 2027
School’s Out Safari
Details:
School’s Out Safari Camps are single day camps that take place throughout the school year on days when metro schools are out for holidays or teacher professional development including winter and spring breaks. During these camps, campers will explore the Zoo, meet some animals and participate in hanMarch 15, 2027
School’s Out Safari
Details:
School’s Out Safari Camps are single day camps that take place throughout the school year on days when metro schools are out for holidays or teacher professional development including winter and spring breaks. During these camps, campers will explore the Zoo, meet some animals and participate in hanMarch 16, 2027
School’s Out Safari
Details:
School’s Out Safari Camps are single day camps that take place throughout the school year on days when metro schools are out for holidays or teacher professional development including winter and spring breaks. During these camps, campers will explore the Zoo, meet some animals and participate in hanMarch 17, 2027
School’s Out Safari
Details:
School’s Out Safari Camps are single day camps that take place throughout the school year on days when metro schools are out for holidays or teacher professional development including winter and spring breaks. During these camps, campers will explore the Zoo, meet some animals and participate in hanMarch 18, 2027
School’s Out Safari
Details:
School’s Out Safari Camps are single day camps that take place throughout the school year on days when metro schools are out for holidays or teacher professional development including winter and spring breaks. During these camps, campers will explore the Zoo, meet some animals and participate in hanMarch 19, 2027
School’s Out Safari
Details:
School’s Out Safari Camps are single day camps that take place throughout the school year on days when metro schools are out for holidays or teacher professional development including winter and spring breaks. During these camps, campers will explore the Zoo, meet some animals and participate in han