Summer Starts Here: Community Activity Highlights for June 2025
You can get a copy of the full guide to classes and programs in our Community Center, which includes our Recreation Center, Library, Aquatic Center, Gerdin Conference Center and other spaces, published three times each year, in person at the Community Center, 520 W. Cherry St., or online. These highlights of the coming month are published on the third Thursday of each month. You can sign up to have this emailed to you at northlibertyiowa.org/subscribe.
News & Updates
Preparing to open the outdoor pool each year starts early with hiring, training, maintenance, filling and chemistry balancing. During our annual start up, our staff discovered some leaks in the pool shell and took steps to repair them, including working across departments to leverage City staff’s broad expertise. Unfortunately, the leaking is more pervasive and will require additional equipment, such as underwater cameras, to locate and repair, delaying the start of our outdoor pool season past Memorial Day weekend. You can sign up for notifications about the outdoor pool on RainoutLine.
In Case You Missed It
All ages are invited to participate in the North Liberty Library’s Summer Reading Program. This summer’s theme is Level Up at Your Library! The program challenges participants to complete 700 minutes of reading between June 9 and Aug. 8 to earn prizes and be entered into a prize drawing. Learn more at northlibertylibrary.org/srp.
On the Horizon
Coming in July is a new class, Yoga & Strength, offering a dynamic blend of yoga and functional strength each Monday starting at 4:30 p.m. The class is designed for anyone who wants to build bone density, core strength that will leave you feeling strong, centered, and ready for the week ahead. The class joins our list of yoga offerings, just search “yoga” on RecDesk.
City Slate Events
There’s always something free and fun to do in North Liberty. The City Slate offers events all year long, and is made free with the support of Centro, Inc., Collins Community Credit Union, Corda Credit Union, The Eastern Iowa Airport – CID, Hills Bank, MidWestOne Bank, South Slope Cooperative, University of Iowa Health Care, Urban Acres Real Estate and Veridian Credit Union. More at northlibertyiowa.org/cityslate.
Summer Reading Kickoff
June 11, 6-7:30 p.m., Ranshaw House Lawn, Free
Celebrate summer with the Library’s Summer Reading Program Kick-Off. There will be fun activities for all ages including a bouncy house, water shooters, ice cream from Heyn’s, and, of course, Summer Reading Program sign-up.
Let Love Fly
June 14, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Centennial Park, Free
Mega kites will soar above North Liberty’s Centennial Park. Come for awe-inspiring views, and information, activities and giveaways from community groups and sponsors for an all-ages community celebration of love.
Camp North Liberty
3 p.m. June 20 to 9 a.m. June 21, Community Center, Free
Join fellow members of the community in a backyard campout at the North Liberty Recreation Center. Enjoy live music, food, games and other entertainment.
Cardboard Boat Regatta
June 21, 9:30 a.m., Aquatic Center, Free
Put your cardboard boat creation to the test at the outdoor pool for a chance to win prizes and bragging rights. Free registration (and supply kits) for those who want to sail their homemade boat will become available a month before the event. All are welcome to come cheer on participants!
Other Upcoming Events
Friends Book Sale
June 12 – 1 4, Library, Regular open hours
The Friends of the Library annual book sale is back this year, cost is $20 for as many books as you can fit in the provided bag or a freewill donation for small purchases.
Binspire Messy Playdate
June 21, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Gerdin, $15
Looking for a fun and messy way for your kids to have fun? These outdoor events will have various stations set up with paint, water, mud, shaving cream, and more for your little ones, ages 3 to 8, to get messy. Our child-led, open-ended play encourages creativity, builds confidence, and helps children experience new textures and practice social skills. And the best part? We’ll take care of the clean-up at the end, so you don’t have to worry about anything. Bring your kids in clothes that can get messy and let them explore and play with us.
Register[/register]
Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers
Doodlebugs
June 16, 10:30 a.m., Library, Free
Flowers & Bones. Georgia O’Keeffe painted what she pleased, whether it was tropical flowers or bones from the desert. Look at the world through Georgia’s eyes today and paint from a new perspective.
Swimming Storytime
June 20, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Aquatic Center, Free
Join the library staff and lifeguards for a fun summer storytime by the pool on the outdoor pool deck followed by free, open swim
Kids Adaptive Superhero Class
Tuesdays, June 3 – 24, Tuesdays, 6 – 6:45 p.m., Centennial Park, 1565 St. Andrews Drive
Learn the skills of a superhero in this new class for ages 5-10. Work on balance, coordination, kicking, throwing, agility and more, learning to have fun while we exercise. Superhero capes will be provided for participants and superhero certificates received at the completion of the program.
Register[/register]
School-Aged Youth
U of I Club Volleyball Camp
June 16 – 19, 8, 9:30 or 11 a.m., Community Center, $50
Recreation is thrilled to team up with the University of Iowa Club Volleyball to offer a four-day camp for grades 3 through 8.Campers will work in small groups, giving players a chance to work with current club team members. Players will focus on fundamentals of the younger ages and focus on developing and creating new skills for the older ages.
Grades 3 to 4[/register]
Grades 5 to 6[/register]
Grades 7 to 8[/register]
Youth Beginner Pickleball Camp
June 10, 12, 17 and 19, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Penn Meadows Park
This camp is for ages 8 to 14 is as great introduction to one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. Fun meets fitness as campers learn from our passionate instructors who will tailor sessions to skill level, keeping engagement throughout the week.
Register[/register]
Movie Mondays
June 23 and 30, 3 p.m., Library, Free
It’s movie day at the library! Come enjoy a movie, like Onward and Raya and the Last Dragon, each Monday this summer. Light snacks will be provided and feel free to bring along lidded drinks and additional snacks along with lawn chairs and/or blankets for your comfort.
Super Tuesdays at the Ranshaw House
June 17 and 24, 12 p.m., Ranshaw House lawn, Free
Join library staff after Summer Lunch & Fun for fun programs, like Under the Sea adventures and a Musical Petting Zoo with Music4Life.
Tweendom
June 18 and 25, 3 p.m., Library, Free
Join us weekly for crafts and activities geared toward tweens, like Ice Cream Science and Paracord Creations.
Teen Thursdays
June 19, 3 p.m., Library, Free
Bring a friend for weekly programs geared toward teens, like Dragon Eggs, fire coasters, and needle felting.
Pride Party
June 26, 3 p.m., Library, Free
Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride this June with us! Participate in a range of activities and crafts, like making pronoun/flag pins, that embrace the spirit of inclusivity and diversity. You’ll have the opportunity to make new friends and show your support.
T(w)een After Hours
June 27, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Library, Free
Bring your friends for pizza, snacks, games, crafts, and fun. Scream, shout, run around with us after hours at the library.
Register[/register]
Adults & Senior
Small Biz in Small Libraries: All About Brand Strategy (Again!)
June 11, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., City Hall, 360 N. Main St., Free
Trevor Britton is back again to share his expertise on brand storytelling. Join us to receive an analysis of your brand’s landing page — website, social media, blog — and receive guided feedback from Trevor on how to best tell your small biz’s story. Seating is limited.
Register[/register]
Beginning Machine Sewing II
Thursdays June 5 to July 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Library, Free
Join Deb for the second part of Beginning Machine Sewing. Perfect for those who have an understanding of sewing with a sewing machine but would like to learn more! Registration is required. Class is intended for adults only.
Register[/register]
Board Games & Burritos
June 28, 6:30 pm, Library, Free
Invite your friends to our game night to absolutely destroy them in your favorite board game! We’ll have lots of board and card games to choose from, but you’re welcome to bring one from home too. We’ll also have a build-your-own burrito bar!
Register[/register]
55+ Connections: Tuesday Gathering
Tuesdays, 10:30am, Library, Free
Join us for a weekly social gathering that will feature rotating activities and friendly conversation – board games, puzzles, art, book discussions, and more! Breakfast snacks and coffee provided.
Families
Summer Lunch & Fun
Weekdays June 16 – Aug. 15 (no July 4), 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Ranshaw House, Free
The program provides a free lunch and an activity for kids 0 to 18 years old every weekday during the summer months, no questions asked. No registration is required.
Miss Carole Macaroni Soup Children’s Concert
June 25, 12:30 pm, Ranshaw House Lawn, Free
A sing-along, dance-along, do-along concert for families. Fun, sneakily educational with a snowball freeze fight.
