Educational Camps, Clubs & Events

Grab your paddle & get ready for an adventure as we uncover the life of the voyageurs on the mighty Mississippi River. Campers will explore the world of these 18th-century fur traders through hands-on experiences, old-world crafts & lively storytelling.

Join us for a lively outdoor storytime and a mini parade around the park. October’s StoryWalk title, “Let’s Play Monsters” by Lucy Cousins, will be the featured story at this event. Costumes are welcome but not required. No registration is necessary.

Rising Star Theatre Company is offering 3 fall theatre workshop opportunities for students of all ages.  From musical offerings to improv and even a camp for the little ones, RSTC has something for everyone. Scholarships are available. Go to risingstar.coursestorm.com for details and to sign up!

Celebrate spooky season with an artsy 3D pumpkin sculpture inspired by the artist Yayoi Kusama. Registration is required.

What's better than a little bling? Bring your favorite book to the program room or choose one of our donated books and add a little dazzle to the cover!

Explore hands-on careers in Diesel and Truck Technology! Join monthly sessions Oct–Jan at Truck Country Training Center. Just $10 (thanks to a grant). Meeting dates: 10/13, 11/10, 12/8, and 1/12/26

Grab a friend and head to the library to make cool art and eat snacks! This month we will learn how to make a bookish, decorative ornament to celebrate Banned Books Week. This program is for ages 10 and older – including adults! Supplies are limited; registration is required for all participants.

Loras College Women's Basketball Camps: Kids Night Out Pizza and drinks provided Games, bounce house AND MORE

Discover the exciting world of 4-H and Clover Kids! Join our open house for an afternoon of hands-on activities, games, and prizes for kids and families. No pre-registration required.

From gooey snails to slithering snakes, come discover the wild and wiggly world of all things slimy and scaly! Campers will get hands-on with exciting experiments, make their own messy slime, and meet real-life critters.

Get into the Halloween spirit as we meet some of nature’s creepiest (and coolest!) critters. From buzzing bugs to crawling creatures without backbones, we’ll explore the wild world of invertebrates and uncover the truth behind their spooky reputations.

Whether you are new to embroidery or have little experience, come to the library to start an easy and cute project and go home with your own embroidery kit. Registration is required.

Visit the children’s section of the library to see if you can find all of the book characters dressed up as ghosts—if you find them all, you can earn a small prize!

Design an outfit for a mini skeleton to display at our fashion show! Join us in-person on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 5:30 p.m. or register for a take-home kit with all the supplies you'll need to decorate a skeleton. Completed skeletons will be displayed at the library from Oct. 14 - 31.

Middle School Esports club

These easy upcycled relief planters are a fun way to add some creepiness to your decor just before Halloween. Registration is required.

Whether or not you’re a Minecraft whiz, sign up for this game-playing night to test your skills and build away!

Blending two wonderful things together: Dinosaurs and the Festivities of Fall! Can you find all the Fall Dinosaurs in the Children’s section of the library?

Looking for a place where kids can learn new skills, make friends, and have fun? Join Dubuque County 4-H! Youth in grades K–12 can explore hands-on projects, community service, leadership opportunities, and more. From STEM and art to animals and cooking, there’s something for everyone in 4-H.

Do you like Magic Tree House, Junie B. Jones and Nate the Great books? If so, this book club is for you. This club is for 1st through 3rd graders. We will talk about the book and then participate in an enjoyable activity or craft. Please register and pick up your copy at the Children's Help Desk.

Toddler Time - Mondays @ 9:30 & 10:30 a.m. Baby Rhyme Time - Tuesdays @ 10:30 a.m. Preschool Storytime - Wednesdays @ 10:30 a.m. No registration is required. Adult participation is a must.

Read a new title each month and then meet up for book discussion and a unique activity related to the book. Please register and pick up books at the Children's Help Desk.

The L.&M.O.P. concert series is for preschool children and their families. Children will leave each concert with a greater appreciation of music and a lollipop to enjoy! The Northeast Iowa School of Music sponsors this series. An adult must accompany children. No registration required.

Dogs love stories but can’t read to themselves! Children in grades K through 3 are welcome to read a short book to a dog. A volunteer will also be available to read aloud to younger children and/or children who want to listen to stories while reading to the pets. Registration is not required.

This monthly library-sponsored event brings history to life through the beloved stories of the American Girl historical characters. Each session highlights one historical doll, exploring her time period and the real-life history that shaped her world. Registration is required.

Sign your child up for Private Rooted Music Lessons. Weekly music lessons with opportunities for performance in the areas of voice, piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, saxophone, flute, trumpet, percussion, clarinet, song writing and now CELLO!

Grab your family and try your luck at book bingo! We have great hardcover and other book prizes for kids. No registration is required.

Calling all LEGO® fans! Come to the library to build, create, and have fun. The library provides the LEGOs®, and you provide the know-how! Donations of LEGOs® are appreciated. LEGO® creations will be exhibited in the library. The program will be held in the Aigler Auditorium on the 3rd floor.

Our Fall and Winter 2025 Program Guide is here! Find all the details on storytimes, book clubs for all ages and special events happening from late August through the end of the year.

Stop in every month for a fun, crafty activity for all ages! Grab & Go bags are ready for pick up on the first of every month at the Children's Help Desk.

There are lots of famous snowmen in books! We’ve hidden some of them in the children’s section of the library. Can you find them all before they melt?

A StoryWalk is a movement and literacy boosting project that places an illustrated children’s book, taken apart and displayed page by page, along a walking route in your community.

What’s slimy, warty, & jumpy? Frogs, of course! Hop on down to the River Museum to become a frog expert. We’ll have a jumping good time exploring the stages of metamorphosis, conducting our own “frog chorus,” meet some live toads & we'll learn all about Wyoming Toads.

From crafting wooden boats to building picture frames, campers will use real tools and materials to bring their own creations to life. We’ll also go behind the scenes with the our exhibit team for an exclusive tour of their workshop and we'll learn how they bring exhibits from blueprint to reality.

What’s for lunch in the animal kingdom? At this camp, we’ll sink our teeth into the world of herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores! Campers will explore how different animals eat, hunt, graze, and survive—whether they’re munching on plants, chasing prey, or enjoying a little of both.

Join us as we flap into the world of our feathered friends! We’ll discover what birds eat by taking a close look at their beaks and feet, then lend them a helping wing by making bird feeders and building cozy birdhouses. It’s a hands-on adventure that’s sure to make your spirits soar!

Join us as we explore the mysterious world beneath the waves—one of the least explored places on Earth. We’ll search for strange and fascinating creatures like cuttlefish, frilled sharks, anglerfish, and even the elusive giant squid. The deep sea is calling—are you ready to dive in?