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!

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March 29, 2025

Engineers of Tomorrow

  • Location: 0308 Elings Hall @ Iowa State University

  • Time: 9:30am

  • Event For: High School Students

  • Cost: Free!

  • Organizer: Society of Women Engineers at Iowa State University

  • Contact: Genevieve McShane

Details:

This is an engineering exploration day that is hosted at Iowa State on March 29th, 2025 from 9:30am-3pm. This camp will expose the students to different disciplines of engineering offered at Iowa State. Every student will participate in hands-on activities and attend engineering major sessions.

March 29, 2025

Grandview Little League Baseball and Softball

  • Location: Grandview Little League

  • Time: All Day

  • Event For: ages 3 to 16 boys and girls

  • Cost: Flat rate $150 Bambam $65

  • Organizer: Grandview Little League

  • Contact: Matt Kunert

  • Phone: (515) 689-6570

Details:

We are a little league that works to teach children how to play baseball and softball.

March 31, 2025

Host an International High School Student

  • Location:

  • Time: All Day

  • Event For: Parents

  • Cost:

  • Organizer: World Link Inc

  • Contact: Karen King-Fitzgerald

  • Phone: (515) 491-1551

Details:

We are looking for loving families to host World Link international high school students arriving to Des Moines in August. All of these students will need families to host them for the 25-26 school year. Your family can open your home to a new member of your family! Relationships can last forever!

April 12, 2025

Easter Egg Hunt + Camp Preview Day

  • Location:

  • Time: 10:30 am

  • Event For: Families

  • Cost: Free

  • Organizer: Wesley Woods Camp + Retreat Center

  • Contact: Sierra Kuisle

  • Phone: (515) 961-4523

Details:

Join us for a day of fun, fellowship, and faith as we celebrate the joy of Easter and share how Wesley Woods is growing disciples of Jesus! Easter Egg Hunt Meeting our Christ-centered staff Exploring our beautiful campgrounds Learning about summer camp opportunities for kids and families

April 19, 2025

Girls’ Entrepreneurship Incubator

  • Location: Local Des Moines Companies - varies weekly

  • Time: 10:00 AM

  • Event For: High school females

  • Cost: FREE

  • Organizer: Pi515

  • Contact: Breanna

Details:

The Girls' Entrepreneurship Incubator (GEI) empowers young women by providing mentorship, resources, and hands-on experience to develop entrepreneurial skills. Through workshops, networking, and real-world projects, GEI fosters innovation, confidence, and leadership in aspiring female entrepreneurs.

April 22, 2025

Grand Blue Mile

  • Location: Western Gateway Park 1205 Locust St. Des Moines, IA 50309

  • Time: 6pm

  • Event For:

  • Cost: $10

  • Organizer: Drake Relays

  • Contact: Ben Huftalin

  • Phone: (515) 271-1957

Details:

The Grand Blue Mile, presented by Wellmark, is a one-mile run/walk in downtown Des Moines for all ages. New in 2025, Spike’s Sprint lets kids 10 & under race in three divisions and earn a special giveaway. Enjoy family fun with bounce houses, face painting, and the Mascot Madness race!

May 1, 2025

Summer Jobs with Des Moines Parks and Recreation!

  • Location: City of Des Moines

  • Time: All Day

  • Event For: Ages 15+

  • Cost:

  • Organizer: Des Moines Parks and Recreation

  • Contact: Ian Knutsen

  • Phone: (515) 205-6218

Details:

Des Moines Parks and Recreation are looking for High School students looking for summer jobs!

May 3, 2025

Girl Scout Day at Hoyt Sherman Place

  • Location: 1501 Woodland Ave. Des Moines, IA 50309

  • Time: 10:00 am

  • Event For:

  • Cost:

  • Organizer: Hoyt Sherman Place

Details:

Join us for Girl Scout Day at Hoyt Sherman Place including tours, crafts, and learning.

May 12, 2025

Pleasant Hill Kids Running Club

  • Location: Hickory Glen Park in Pleasant Hill, IA

  • Time: 5:30 PM

  • Event For: Ages 4-8 years old

  • Cost: $60

  • Organizer: Pleasant Hill Kids Running Club

  • Contact: Caitlin Merritt

  • Phone: (563) 579-3581

Details:

This program is designed to get your child interested in running, fitness, and being healthy. This is non-competitive, inclusive and a great way to build your child’s confidence and meet new friends! Kids will learn the fundamentals of running, stretching, and nutrition basics in a FUN environment!

June 1, 2025

2025 Simpson College Youth Football Camp

  • Location: Buxton Stadium, Simpson College

  • Time: 2:45pm

  • Event For: 1st-8th Grade

  • Cost: $100.00

  • Organizer: Simpson College Football

  • Contact: Jason Martinez

  • Phone: (517) 414-1995

Details:

Simpson Storm Football invites you to our annual summer Youth Football Camp. We’re excited to bring kids from the surrounding areas to our campus and expose them to the fundamentals of football. Our four-day camp encompasses football techniques, games, and competitions.

June 2, 2025

Attention Graduating Seniors! Now Hiring Assistant Sales Managers @ R3 Roofing & Exteriors!

  • Location:

  • Time: All Day

  • Event For: Graduating Seniors

  • Cost:

  • Organizer: R3 Roofing & Exteriors

  • Contact: Amber Vollmer

  • Phone: (515) 864-8902

Details:

Assistant Sales Manager – Des Moines, IA Make Great Money. Build a Career. Have Fun Doing It! View the job description here: www.r3roofs.com/hiring. We have a training class starting March 3rd, but will be hiring all throughout the summer as well!

June 6, 2025

Discovery Time Preschool

  • Location: Mitchellville Christian Church

  • Time: All Day

  • Event For:

  • Cost:

  • Organizer: Discovery Time Preschool

  • Contact: Amy Haus

  • Phone: (515) 250-1450

Details:

Do you live in the boundary of Mitchellville Elementary? Discovery Time Preschool located at Mitchellville Christian Church has openings for 25/26 school year. We walk students to preschool every afternoon. We offer preschool 5 days a week. See website or email with questions.

June 15, 2025

Y Camp Summer 2025

  • Location: Des Moines Y Camp

  • Time: All Day

  • Event For: Ages 7-17

  • Cost: Varies by Program

  • Organizer: Des Moines Y Camp

  • Contact: Melanie Mellinger

  • Phone: (515) 432-7558

Details:

Overnight Camp, Day Camp, Family Camp and our amazing Partner Camps all work to bring the impact and value of camp to all who enter the Valley. If you’re looking for the ultimate camp experience, Summer Camp is the place to start. Find your next adventure at the Des Moines Y Camp!

June 15, 2025

Wesley Woods Summer Camp

  • Location: 10896 Nixon Street, indianola

  • Time: All Day

  • Event For: ages 6+

  • Cost: depends on the camp, scholarships available

  • Organizer: Wesley Woods Camp + Retreat Center

  • Contact: Sierra Kuisle

  • Phone: (515) 961-4523

Details:

Are you ready to embark on a journey of faith, fun, and friendship? Visit us at Camp Wesley Woods, where every day is an opportunity for growth, adventure, and spiritual deepening. Discover more about our programs, meet our dedicated staff, and explore what a summer at Wesley Woods can offer you.

June 16, 2025

Drake University Summer Voice Intensive

  • Location: Drake University

  • Time: 9:00am

  • Event For: Middle and High School Students

  • Cost: $400

  • Organizer: Drake University

  • Contact: Alyssa Becker

  • Phone: (515) 473-0564

Details:

The annual Drake University Voice Intensive (DUVI) is a summertime camp designed for young singers ages 14+ to develop their voices and build confidence in performing and auditioning.

June 19, 2025

Hoyt Sherman Place Spring Art Classes

  • Location: 1501 Woodland Ave. Des Moines, IA 50309

  • Time: All Day

  • Event For:

  • Cost:

  • Organizer: Hoyt Sherman Place

  • Contact: Emily Roeder

Details:

Join us for one of our many spring art classes at Hoyt Sherman Place including needle felting, music, acrylics, watercolor, drawing, and more.

July 18, 2025

Drake Volleyball Camps

  • Location: Knapp Center at Drake University

  • Time: All Day

  • Event For: Elementary, Middle, and High School Students

  • Cost: Each camp may vary

  • Organizer: Drake University Volleyball

  • Contact: Addison Barnes

  • Phone: (920) 213-3969

Details:

Drake volleyball camps are a great way to get active this summer and engage with our student-athlete's here at Drake! We put on a variety of camps you can choose from starting on 7/7/25 going through 7/18/25. Our goal is to teach young students about the game of volleyball and have fun!

July 18, 2025

Varsity Summer Camp: Around the World Through Movies

  • Location: Varsity Cinema, 1207 25th St., Des Moines, IA 50311

  • Time: 9:00am

  • Event For: elementary students, grades 2-5

  • Cost: $125

  • Organizer: Des Moines Film | Varsity Cinema

  • Phone: (515) 259-0167

Details:

Travel around the world through movies! Earn a new stamp for your passport each day as we watch a movie from a different country then explore that country’s culture through fun activities. Campers will receive free t-shirt, plus a light snack each day, including movie theater popcorn on Friday.

July 25, 2025

SummerSongs

  • Location: Windsor Heights Lutheran Church

  • Time: All Day

  • Event For: Completed Kindergarten through 8th grade

  • Cost: The price range varies, there are scholarships available.

  • Organizer: Heartland Youth Choir

  • Contact: Kelli Stoermer

  • Phone: (515) 221-3922

Details:

Singers who have finished grade K through 8 will enjoy five days of singing and fun that ends with a musical performance! Participants will experience choir rehearsals, musicianship, sectional rehearsals, and movement activities.