The series focuses on “everything you want to learn before you kick the bucket.” The name is meant to evoke the wish that many people have to learn more about things they may or may not have learned about earlier, from physics to history to music. The Bucket Courses seek to provide high-interest courses in a variety of fields.

The Courses are held from 10-11:30 pm on each Wednesday morning during two semester-like terms. The fall term begins in September and usually ends just before Thanksgiving; the spring term begins in late January and ends in May. The classes are held in the Caulkins Community Room of the Drake Community Library in Grinnell, Iowa.

The Bucket Courses began in 2009.  Courses were stopped during the COVID shutdown, but started back in person in the fall of 2022.

Presenters are receive no monetary compensation, but receive great praise and appreciation from class members.