Viking Discovery Program

09/28/2026

Last week, members of our Viking Discovery Program leadership team had the opportunity to attend the Get Connected 2026 Afterschool Conference, hosted by the Nebraska Department of Education at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney.

The conference brought together people, programs, and possibilities from across Nebraska, all connected by a shared belief that we are better together.

The Viking Discovery Program is proud to be part of Nebraska’s fantastic after-school network. Opportunities like this allow us to learn from one another, share our ideas, build relationships, and continue to find new ways to create meaningful experiences for students and families we serve.

Representing our program at the conference were Kennedy Smith, Hamlow Site Supervisor, and Jennifer Shakespeare, Viking Discovery Program Director. Both women have made considerable contributions to the quality of our local programming, and they returned with even more resources that will help us continue to strengthen our programming and enhance the experiences we provide for local kids.

We send much gratitude to the Nebraska Department of Education and everyone who made Get Connected 2026 possible. What a great network!

07/19/2026

🌱A Disappointing Discovery at Our Eagle Elementary Garden

This week, our Viking Discovery Program students were disappointed to discover that nearly everything in their garden had been picked.

Since May, our elementary students have planted, watered, weeded, and cared for this garden every single day. They have eagerly watched their cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers grow, checking on them daily as they waited for them to be just right for harvest.

This garden is much more than a fun summer activity. Through grant funding, our students observe the plants' growth, record what they harvest, and learn where healthy food comes from. The produce they grow becomes part of their afternoon snack or goes home with them so they can cook with their families.

Unfortunately, before our students had the opportunity to harvest the vegetables they worked so hard to grow, someone picked nearly everything.

We're choosing to believe this was an honest mistake by someone who thought it was a community garden. If that was you, we simply ask that you please leave the garden for our students. It is an outdoor classroom where children learn responsibility, patience, healthy eating, and the joy of watching something they planted grow from seed to harvest.

While our students are understandably disappointed, we're proud of the hard work they've put into this project and hope they'll soon have another chance to experience the excitement of harvesting what they've grown.

Thank you for helping us protect these special learning experiences for our kids.

07/14/2026

VDP is excited to announce our new online registration!

To register use this link https://app.tryplayground.com/listings/EP5RggHKxyfG7zYvukVK

We are excited for a fun new school year!

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03/24/2026

Join the fun at VDP for the 26-27 school year. You may request a packet to be sent home from school with your child or even catch us at kindergarten parent night.

03/04/2026

What will you explore this summer?

2026 Summer Registration Packets will be available starting March 2, 2026! Navigate to our "How to Register" page for more information.

07/19/2025

07/17/2025

More field trip pics!

07/17/2025

Field trip photos!

04/23/2025

Crazy sock day today! We had a blast.