B2K Learning Center & Consulting

🚧💦 Splash Pad Update

Cleveland Park's splash pad is temporarily closed due to nearby construction and may remain closed for up to three weeks. Hidder Park's splash pad is also closed for maintenance.

Watch for updates or find other splash pad locations at CityOfCR.com/SplashPads.

As the weather warms, city pools and splash pads across Iowa are opening. The Gazette compiled a list of public pools in Cedar Rapids, Marion, Coralville and Iowa City and their hours and fees for the 2026 season. https://www.thegazette.com/lifestyles/recreation/here-s-when-your-local-pool-splash-pad-is-opening/article_9af38d26-bebe-4352-b137-8211026933e1.html

We live in a world where our kids can architect entire civilizations with a click of a button. And while that digital creativity is impressive, there is something irreplaceable about the physics of a fallen branch.

When a child builds a fort in the woods, they aren't just playing. They are:

Engineers calculating weight and balance.

Architects working with the raw materials of the earth.

Dreamers turning a pile of sticks into a castle.

If a child can build an entire virtual city on a screen but has never built a fort out of fallen branches, we've limited their imagination. Let's make sure we’re giving them enough "offline" time to get their hands dirty and their minds soaring.

To the parents, teachers, and homeschoolers here:
What was the last thing your kids built outside? 🪵 Drop a photo of their "nature architecture" in the comments.

👇 Let’s inspire each other to get them back out there!

Grain-based desserts in the can be tricky to navigate, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

This USDA resource, available in English and Spanish, helps clarify what counts, what does not, and how to stay in compliance while serving balanced meals and snacks.

It's a simple, helpful guide to keep your program on track.

Download the resource and feel more confident in your menu planning - https://www.cacfp.org/assets/pdf/USDA+FNS+-+Grain-Based+Desserts+EN-SP+cacfp.org/

Your library is coming to your park this summer!

Find us at parks around the city from Monday, June 8 to Friday, Aug. 7 for books, games, fun, and a few surprises, too. Each stop will feature an all-ages story time at the start of the program, followed by a variety of activities and giveaways with our Mobile Technology Lab.

Participate in the Summer Reading Challenge and hang out with our friends at the Rollin' Recmobile while you're here!

All visits are 11:30 am-1 pm.

Schedule:
Jacolyn Park: Mondays, June 8-29
Bever Park: Mondays, July 6–Aug. 3
Twin Pines Park: Tuesdays, June 9-Aug. 4
Redmond Park: Thursdays, June 11-July 2
Cleveland Park: Thursdays, July 9– Aug. 6
Daniels Park: Fridays, June 12-26 & July 10-Aug. 7

CRLibrary.org/summer

The Summer Reading Challenge is generously supported by the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, Hills Bank, and the Friends of the Cedar Rapids Public Library.

Last week, the federal government made child care more expensive for families and riskier for home-based providers. Here's what happened and what it means:

On May 11, a new rule was finalized, eliminating four key CCDF provisions:

▪️The 7% family copayment cap (families can be charged more)
▪️Enrollment-based provider reimbursement (providers may lose pay for child absences)
▪️Prospective payment requirements (providers may only be paid after services)
▪️Grants to serve underserved children (no longer mandatory)

These changes could raise child care costs for families and increase financial risks for providers, particularly home-based educators already operating on thin margins.

At BUILD, we believe a strong early childhood system requires stable support for these educators, and states now have a greater responsibility to protect families and providers.

Read more: https://www.ffyf.org/2026/05/11/state-of-play-nprm/

If you’ve ever wished your CACFP tools would “just talk to each other,” your wish is finally coming true.
This new integration between My Food Program, brightwheel, and Playground is designed to save providers time, reduce errors, and make meal claiming simpler than ever.

Important: You must be a Child Development Home provider and Your CACFP sponsor must be using My Food Program for this integration to work.

Fresh Air Fridays Starts in June

Come out on Fridays for fun, family-friendly pop-up events at some of our favorite Linn County parks. From 10-11:30 a.m., look for the Linn County Conservation tent for exciting hands-on activities based on that week's theme. Collect stamps on your Fresh Air Friday Passport each week. Enjoy the fresh air, explore new areas, or rediscover your favorite outdoor places. Activities are geared towards kids ages 4-12, but all are welcome.

Free. No preregistration required. Fridays June 5 -August 7 (not held on June 19 and July 3 due to holidays).

Fresh Air Fridays - Summer Series - Wickiup Hill Learning Center, Linn County, IA - MyCountyPark.com MyCountyParks serves the Iowa area with outdoor recreation, environmental education, and natural resource protection.