Digital Backpack
Welcome to the Digital Backpack!
Dubuque is lucky to have a wide variety of events that support the education, health, wellness, quality of life, and enrichment of our students and the entire community. The district's Digital Backpack is a central, paperless way to share non-profit and educational information with families.
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Summer String Camp Early Registration
January 12 – January 18, 2026
RSVP By
January 18, 2026
Location
Online
Event For
String students entering grades 7-12
Cost
Variable, see website
Organization
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
Contact
Kathleen Hoeper
Phone
(563) 557-1677
View Flyer
Additional Information
One Week Only - EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT - January 12-18 https://dubuquesymphony.org/youth-music-camp Middle School Video Game / Esports Club
January 13 – May 12, 2026
Start Time
6-8p.m.
RSVP By
January 24, 2026
Location
Dubuque Esports League
Event For
Middle School Students
Cost
$100 For Scholarships - reference to DBQ City Leisure Services
Organization
Dubuque Esports League
Contact
Susie Quinn
Email
squinn@dbqesports.org
Phone
(563) 590-9169
Website
https//:dbqesports.org/clubs
Additional Information
Video Game / Esports Club 4th & 5th Grade Video Game / Esports Club
January 10 – May 9, 2026
Start Time
10 a.m.
RSVP By
January 24, 2026
Location
Dubuque Esports League
Event For
Elementary
Cost
$100.00 - For Scholarships; reference to City of Dubuque Leisure Services
Organization
Dubuque Esports League
Contact
Susie Quinn
Email
squinn@dbqesports.org
Phone
(563) 590-9169
Website
https//:dbqesports.org/clubs
Additional Information
Video Game / Esports club - Team Building, Safe Gaming environment. Learn Safe Gaming High Five: Portraits by Dubuque’s 5th Graders
January 7, 2026
Start Time
4:00 p.m.
Location
Dubuque Museum of Art in the Millwork District - 1000 Jackson Street, suite 105 Dubuque
Event For
Families
Cost
Free
Organization
Dubuque Museum of Art
Contact
Ivonne Simmonds
Email
isimmonds@dbqart.org
Phone
(563) 580-9888
Additional Information
This portrait installation features over 700 fifth-grade student photography portraits from Dubuque Community Schools, created through the expanded Arts Trek program at the Dubuque Museum of Art. Brigid’s Flame: A Tale of Spring
January 30 – January 31, 2026
Start Time
7 p.m.
Location
Steeple Square
Event For
All ages
Cost
sliding scale $0-50
Organization
Groundswell Joy Collective
Contact
Mary Kay McDermott
Phone
(563) 213-6397
View Flyer
Additional Information
Brigid's Flame will bring the tri-state community together to experience the joy and creativity of community singing, dancing, storytelling, silence, and puppetry! Antique Children’s Book Sale
January 24, 2026
Start Time
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Location
James Kennedy Public Library
Event For
Teachers, Librarians, Parents, Children
Cost
Free admission. $5 per book.
Organization
James Kennedy Public Library
Contact
Christa Palm
Phone
(563) 875-8912
Additional Information
Visit the James Kennedy Public Library's Antique Children's Book Sale in Dyersville to buy children's picture books from the 1960s through the late 1990s. Funds raised benefit the children's play area. Kids Take the Stage Youth Theater Classes
February 2 – March 13, 2026
Start Time
5:15 p.m.
RSVP By
January 21, 2026
Location
Bell Tower Theater, 2728 Asbury Rd, Dubuque
Event For
Kindergarten through 8th graders
Cost
$80-$95
Organization
Bell Tower Theater
Contact
Miki Robinson
Phone
(563) 588-3377
View Flyer
Additional Information
Kids Take the Stage offers creative dramatics and theater classes for kids of all skills levels. A variety of classes are offered with one or more classes available to each grade level from Kindergarten thru 8th. Classes meet once a week for six weeks. Financial assistance is available. Toad-ally in Love School’s Out Day Camp
February 13, 2026
Start Time
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
RSVP By
February 6, 2026
Location
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Event For
1st - 5th grade
Cost
Members: $50/Student Non-Members: $60/student
Organization
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Contact
Tina Bower
Email
learning@rivermuseum.org
Phone
(563) 557-9545
Additional Information
What’s slimy, warty and jumpy? Frogs of course! Hop on down to the River Museum to become a frog expert. We’ll explore the stages of metamorphosis, conduct our own “frog chorus,” meet some live toads and learn all about the Wyoming Toads. You’ll toad-ally be in love with frogs after this camp! 48-Hour Flash Writing Contest
January 16 – January 18, 2026
Location
Virtual
Event For
3rd-12th grade, and Adults
Cost
Free
Organization
University of Iowa Center for Advancement
Contact
Tegan Donahue
Email
write.now@foriowa.org
Phone
(319) 467-3393
View Flyer
Additional Information
The University of Iowa is hosting its annual Alumni and Friends Flash Writing Contest—a timed, online short story competition. We’ll provide you with a writing prompt that includes a genre, character, and a specific object to incorporate into your story. You’ll have 48 hours and up to 1,000 words. Clarke University Softball Camps
January 31 – February 1, 2026
Location
Gantz Athletic Center
Event For
Softball players of all ages and abilities
Cost
Prospect Camp: $75 + ($25 Pitching & Catching Camp) Youth Camp: $25 + (Free Pitching & Catching Camp)
Organization
Clarke University Softball
Contact
Claire Peachey
Phone
(920) 723-8900
View Flyer
Additional Information
The Clarke University Softball Team is hosting 2 Winter Camps! Prospect Camp: January 31st, 2026 Youth Camp: February 1st, 2026