Homeschool benefits and savings in Des Moines
GRASP, the Greater Des Moines Recreational Activity Scholarship Program, takes 50% to 75% off Des Moines Parks and Recreation activities such as swim lessons, youth sports, and family swim passes. City of Des Moines residents with household income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify, about $82,500 for a family of four. Other options include local programs.
Des Moines GRASP Parks and Recreation assistance
Who qualifies
Lives in Des Moines
You must live in the City of Des Moines and prove it with a current piece of mail.
Has income at 250% FPL
Household income must be at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. School enrollment is not part of the rules, so homeschool families qualify the same way as any other family.
Shows ID and income
Bring identification for every household member and proof of the last 30 days of income or the previous year's income.
Who meets the income limit
These are the 250% of Federal Poverty Level limits in IMPACT Community Action Partnership's income chart, which GRASP uses.
- 2 people
- $54,100
- 3 people
- $68,300
- 4 people
- $82,500
- 5 people
- $96,700
- 6 people
- $110,900
- Each person over 8
- Add $14,200
The page does not say what decides a 50% versus a 75% discount, so ask IMPACT which rate your family would get.
How to get the discount
- Before you call
Gather documents
Collect ID for everyone in the household, recent or last year's income proof, and a current piece of mail showing your Des Moines address.
- To apply
Call IMPACT
Apply by calling IMPACT Community Action Partnership at 515-518-4770.
- After approval
Sign up for activities
Use the discount on Des Moines Parks and Recreation activities such as swim lessons, bike and boat rentals, youth sports, shelters, and garden plots.
What it discounts
Included
- Swimming lessons
- Family swim passes
- Bike and boat rentals
- Youth sports programs
- Shelters and garden plots
Not included
- Families living outside the City of Des Moines
Who to contact about GRASP
IMPACT runs GRASP applications and answers questions about income and residency rules.
Polk County Conservation K-5 homeschool programs
Who qualifies
Your child is at least 5
The series is designed for homeschool students, recommends grades K-5, and permits only ages 5 and older. The event listing also tags ages 5-10.
Register for your chosen session
Registration is required, opens one month before each program, and closes one day before the event.
Attend at Jester Park
Programs take place at Jester Park Nature Center and include an outdoor component.
What the program gives you
The county event page lists free admission and the remaining 2026 sessions, each lasting one hour and 30 minutes.
- Program admission
- Free
- November 13, 2026: Amphibians
- 10-11:30 a.m. or 1-2:30 p.m.
- December 11, 2026: Scientific method
- 10-11:30 a.m. or 1-2:30 p.m.
- Registration opens
- One month before the program
- Registration closes
- One day before the event
How to use the program
- One month before your session
Register online
Use the Sign Up link for your chosen morning or afternoon session.
- One day before the event
Meet the deadline
Complete required registration before the posted cutoff.
- Before attending
Request accessibility support
Contact Polk County Conservation if your child needs a disability-related modification.
- On your selected date
Attend the nature program
Join a story, craft or activity, and an outdoor component at Jester Park Nature Center.
What it includes
Included
- Nature-themed instruction
- Story activities
- Craft or activity
- Outdoor component
Good to know
The minimum age is 5
Your child can attend only once they turn 5. The posted minimum is age 5, with grades K-5 recommended, and the event is also tagged ages 5-10.
Who to contact
Polk County Conservation answers program questions and requests for accessibility modifications.
pccb_info@polkcountyiowa.gov 515-323-5300
Homeschool rules and statewide help in Iowa
You do not have to file a homeschool notice for independent private instruction.
Iowa sets these rules:
- Subjects: IPI must cover mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies at all grade levels. CPI must provide at least 148 days of instruction annually, with attendance on at least 37 days each school quarter; its other rules depend on the option.
- Testing: No standardized testing required for independent option.
- Records: IPI must provide specified instructor, location, authority, and student information on written request; CPI reporting and record rules depend on the option.
- Teachers: Iowa does not require a teaching certificate or degree to homeschool your own child.
Read the Iowa homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Iowa
Questions parents ask
- Can a homeschool family use GRASP?
- Yes. GRASP looks only at Des Moines residency and household income, with no school-enrollment rule, so a homeschooled child qualifies like any other Des Moines child.
- What counts as proof of income for GRASP?
- Bring ID for every household member too.
- Which 2026 Jester Park homeschool sessions remain?
- The page lists Amphibians on November 13 and The Scientific Method on December 11, with both morning and afternoon options.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Camps and local activities give your child new interests to explore. Their discoveries can shape the examples and questions they study at home.
$149/month per child after the trial.
Find benefits for your ZIP code