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.
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. National Girls & Women in Sports Day
January 17, 2026
Start Time
10:15a.m. -2p.m.
RSVP By
January 5, 2026
Location
University of Dubuque
Event For
K- 8th grade
Cost
$25
Organization
University of Dubuque athletic department
Contact
Karla Weber
Email
Kweber@dbq.edu
Phone
(563) 589-3227
Additional Information
The University of Dubuque Athletic department would like to present you with the opportunity to take part in the 40th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day. It is our hope to get young girls interested in a variety of sports and to be able to give them an opportunity to learn. 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 Snowy STEAM Night
December 16, 2025
Start Time
5:00p.m. 7:00p.m.
Location
2001 Radford Road Dubuque IA 52002
Event For
elementary and middle school students
Cost
Free
Organization
Roosevelt FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Teams
Contact
Melissa Sendt
Email
msendt@dbqschools.org
Phone
(563) 556-5068
View Flyer
Additional Information
Roosevelt's FIRST Tech Challenge teams are putting on their 2nd annual Snowy STEAM Night. This free educational event provides an opportunity for students to explore engaging hands-on activities that integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. December Art Activities
November 22 – December 19, 2025
Location
Bluff Strokes Art Center, 1201 Locust St, Dubuque, IA 52001
Event For
Grades 3 through high school
Cost
Varies Scholarships are available.
Organization
Bluff Strokes Art Center
Contact
Rachel Daack
Phone
(563) 239-9377
View Flyer
Additional Information
November and December Art Programming YOUTH ONLY GRADES 3-5 AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSES HIGH SCHOOL ZINE AND BOOK BINDING ADULTS+ UPCYCLE SEWING: MAKE A TOTE WITH RADRAGS (12+) HOLIDAY WREATH MAKING WITH HANDPICK’D (14+) ARTFUL HOLIDAYS: MIXED MEDIA ALL AGES Explore Your Park: EB Lyons & Mines of Spain
December 22, 2025
Start Time
10:00a.m.
RSVP By
December 19, 2025
Location
8991 Bellevue Heights Road, Dubuque, Iowa 52003
Event For
Elementary Students, Ages 5-11
Cost
$5
Organization
Dubuque County Conservation Board
Contact
Taylor Schaefers
Phone
(563) 556-6745
View Flyer
Additional Information
Take this day off of school to Explore Your Park and have fun with many different activities guided by a naturalist at EB Lyons Interpretive Center. Pack a lunch to enjoy afterward. This program is a drop-off program for 5 - 11 year olds. Limited spots, registration required. Winter Gnomes
December 23, 2025
Start Time
3 p.m.
Location
360 West 11th Street, Dubuque, IA 52001
Event For
Ages 10-17
Cost
Free
Organization
Carnegie-Stout Public Library
Contact
Emily Bartley
Email
youth@carnegiestout.org
Phone
(563) 589-4225
View Flyer
Additional Information
Learn about the Swedish Tomte while we make our own gnomes to warm our homes this winter. Registration is required. Folded Book Vase
December 22, 2025
Start Time
2 p.m.
Location
360 West 11th Street, Dubuque, IA 52001
Event For
Ages 10-18
Cost
Free
Organization
Carnegie-Stout Public Library
Contact
Danielle Day
Email
youth@carnegiestout.org
Phone
(563) 589-4225
View Flyer
Additional Information
Give old books a fresh purpose in this eco-friendly craft! We’ll transform recycled pages into charming book vases- complete with artificial flowers, ribbon, and your imagination. Registration is required. UD Softball Youth Camp
January 24 – January 24, 2026
Start Time
8:00 a.m.
RSVP By
January 23, 2026
Location
UD Campus - Veterans Memorial Turf Center
Event For
8-12 Years Old
Cost
$65
Organization
University of Dubuque Softball
Contact
Kristen Duross
Email
kduross@dbq.edu
Phone
(207) 590-1224
Website
https://www.udsoftballcamps.com/
Additional Information
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Check in 8:30 AM - 11:45 AM - Introductions/ Skills & Drills 11:45 AM - Questions & Recap