Match Activities Calendar


Upcoming Match Activities
Match Activities are low-cost to free events organized by the Match Activities Committee. These events provide Bigs and Littles the opportunity to meet and interact with other Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa (BBBSCI) matches.

Bigs Only: Mark your calendars for the next Big Networking Event on Wednesday, April 24th from 5:00-7:00pm at Nosh Cafe and Eatery (424 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309)


Bowl for Kids’ Sake Match Bowling Day on Saturday, April 6

Matches are encouraged to join us for our biggest fund-raising event on Saturday, April 6 from 12:00-2:00 pm at Game Day Lanes. Raise $75 and your Match can enjoy two free games of bowling, free pizza and drinks, free t-shirts and a lot of fun with other BBBSCI Matches! As noted in the attached flyer, the match that raises the most will receive a $100 GIFT CARD toward match activities of your choice!  If you’re interested in participating, please contact Tony Leo at (515) 217-4013 or [email protected] by Friday, March 29.

BBBSCI Big Draft Flag Football Game on Saturday, April 13
We are looking for at least 20 youth enrolled with our BBBSCI programs to participate in a flag football game to help promote our Big Draft Recruiting Campaign. The game will be Saturday, April 13 at 2:00 pm at Grand View University. A practice will be held on Saturday, March 30 (time and location TBD). Youth will be teamed up with players from Grandview, Simpson and other colleges. Bigs are welcome to join in the game or cheer from the sidelines. Highlights of the game will be shown on various media outlets. If your Little/child is interested in participating and able to attend both the practice and game, please sign up with this link by Friday, March 15. More details will be provided to those signing up. Please contact Jay Hall at [email protected] or 515-215-9975 if you have questions.w

Pole Position Raceway on Saturday. May 4
Thanks to a partnership with Goliath Gutters, on Saturday, May 4th, Matches and families are invited to attend this free event at Pole Position Raceway (1350 SE Gateway Drive, Grimes). There will be two separate sessions, one from 10:00am-12:00 pm and another from 12:00-2:00pm. Please review the points below and then sign up here.
* Youth must be at least age 6 and 48 inches tall to drive
* All drivers MUST wear close-toed shoes
* Light snacks will be available (lunch is not provided)
** A Big or Parent/Guardian must sign a waiver and attend with every child (no drop offs please)

Free tickets to Des Moines Symphony and Civic Music Association performances
Experience the magic of live music alongside your Little by attending any performance by the Des Moines Symphony and Civic Music Association. To claim your tickets, please email Ajia at [email protected] or Calla at [email protected].

Free Iowa Wolves Basketball Tickets (SOLD-OUT)
Tickets to Iowa Wolves Basketball games are sold-out. Please contact Nathan Brooks ([email protected] or 515-218-7266) if you have questions.

ARL Volunteer Match Opportunity on Saturday, March 23 (SOLD-OUT)
Ten matches with Littles over age 10 are invited to attend this activity at the Animal Rescue League (1441 Harriet Street, Des Moines, IA 50317) on Saturday, March 23 from noon to 2:00 pm. Attendees will spend time volunteering, learning, and possibly interacting with pets. A guardian form needs to be signed for anyone under the age of 16. This form will be sent to those registered mid-March. Bigs can sign on behalf of the guardian, but please confirm the guardian is comfortable with this before the event. This event is sold-out. You are welcome to sign up, and we will contact you if an opening becomes available.

Free Tickets to The Peking Acrobats (SOLD-OUT)
We are excited to have a partnership with the Des Moines Performing Arts that allows us to get FREE tickets for Bigs and Littles to attend select shows. Tickets are sold-out to The Peking Acrobats on Saturday, May 18 at 11:00 am at Des Moines Civic Center. Please contact Nathan Brooks ([email protected] or 515-218-7266) if you have questions.

Game Day Play Cards
We still have cards that can be used for 1 hour of video game play at Game Day in Merle Hay Mall. Please note, this is limited to ONE card per Match and cards must be picked up in the BBBSCI office. Please contact your Match Support Specialist if you would like one.

Looking for Virtual Activities?
Learn about the Little Big Virtual Academy!


Ongoing Opportunities

BBBSCI Library is Open!
Matches, stop by the BBBSCI library at our office (9051 Swanson Blvd in Clive) and browse our collection of books. Matches are able to check out books- we ask that you return them when finished reading so others can use them. The library is open during our office hours, Monday-Thursday from 8am to 6pm and Friday from 8am to 5pm. 

YMCA
Free admission (with your Little) to any location in Greater Des Moines except the Healthy Living Center. Just show your Big ID card! 

Attend the Science Center of Iowa for Free!
To attend the Science Center of Iowa for free, please contact your Match Support Specialist, and they will help get you signed up.

Attend the Blank Park Zoo for Free!
BBBSCI is now a member of the Blank Park Zoo. This is a great opportunity for you and your Little as you will be able to attend the Zoo for FREE. If you would like to go to the Zoo, contact your Match Support Specialist or stop by the BBBSCI office to check out one of our 4 membership cards. Please arrange to return the card to our office within 2 business days of when you attend the Zoo so that other matches will be able to use it. Also, if a match would happen to lose a membership card, the Big would be responsible for paying to replace it. Please contact your Match Support Specialist with any additional questions.

Attend the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden for Free!
BBBSCI is now a member of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. This is a great opportunity for you and your Little as you will be able to attend the Botanical Garden for FREE. If you would like to go, contact your Match Support Specialist or stop by the BBBSCI office to check out one of our 4 membership cards. Please arrange to return the card to our office within 2 business days of when you attend the Botanical Garden so that other matches will be able to use it. Also, if a match would happen to lose a membership card, the Big would be responsible for paying to replace it. Please contact your Match Support Specialist with any additional questions.

Attend Living History Farms for Free!
BBBSCI is now a member of Living History Farms. This is a great opportunity for you and your Little as you will be able to attend Living History Farms for FREE. If you would like to go, contact your Match Support Specialist to check out a digital pass. Please contact your Match Support Specialist with any additional questions.