Charley West BBQ Fest Is Gearing Up

We are officially four months out from the annual Charley West BBQ Fest! The Charley West BBQ Fest is our annual fundraiser supporting the Bob Burdette Center. This year’s event will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on May 16, 2026, at City Center at Slack Plaza in Charleston, WV. The festival will feature three barbecue cooking competitions and live music throughout the event. Two of the cooking competitions ... Continue Reading »

Focusing On Creativity

A Month Full of Color, Curiosity, and Learning

January is International Creativity Month! The new year is the perfect time to celebrate imagination, curiosity, and self-expression. Creativity is something we strive to foster at the Bob Burdette Center. It is more than just art projects as it is a vital part of how children learn, grow, and discover who they are. Creativity is the ability ... Continue Reading »

Feeding Young Minds

How CACFP Helps Us Make a Difference

At the Bob Burdette Center, we are committed to supporting our students in every way we can. One way we do this is by providing a meal and a snack to them every day. To help us provide food for our students, we participate in a program called the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The CACFP ... Continue Reading »

Winter Break Is Over, Let the Fun Begin!

The Bob Burdette Center Welcomes Students Back For 2026

Yesterday, we welcomed students back to the Bob Burdette Center after winter break! All three of our sites were open, active, and excited to be back in action. Although the holiday season was exciting, we were ecstatic to welcome the students back for the first afterschool program day of 2026. On our first day back, we took some ... Continue Reading »

The Importance of Reading

Reading is an everyday activity that occurs countless times throughout the day. Whether it’s a book, a street sign, or a map, reading is deeply ingrained in our society. Many adults check their cell phones multiple times a day, and students often use iPads or Chromebooks provided by schools, which deliver large amounts of information. Much of this information comes in the form of written messages that require reading ... Continue Reading »

One-to-One Tutoring

At the Bob Burdette Center, tutoring is one of the core services we are proud to provide. In the past, we offered a three-to-one tutoring model, where one tutor worked with three students at a time. This small-group approach allowed students to receive targeted academic support and better understand challenging concepts. However, even in a small group, it can be difficult to fully meet the unique learning needs of each ... Continue Reading »

Students Enjoy “Matilda” Movie Night as Reward for Positive Behavior Matilda Movie Night

On Thursday, September 25, students from the Bob Burdette Center enjoyed a special movie night at the LaBelle Theater in South Charleston to watch Matilda. The event recognized students who have shown positive behavior and strong participation at the Center—our first reward event of the year, with more to come. Families and staff shared a true movie-night experience complete with pizza and popcorn, laughter, and a few lessons in courage ... Continue Reading »

Family Engagement Night Celebrates Healthy Meals and Screen-Free Togetherness

On September 23, the Bob Burdette Center hosted Family Engagement Night at Emmanuel Baptist Church—an evening focused on connection, healthy living, and quality family time without screens. More than 100 nutritious meals were shared as families gathered to eat, laugh, and reconnect in person. Dinner featured a wholesome menu prepared by our on-site chef: beef stew, quinoa salad, and garlic green beans—a balanced mix of protein, grains, and vegetables. Each ... Continue Reading »

Mark Cable Concert

Emmanuel Baptist Church to host free concert

On September 27th at 6:30pm, Emmanuel Baptist Church will host a free concert featuring Mark Cable in the Great Night Out. Emmanuel Baptist Church is the parent of the Bob Burdette Center and is the location of our main afterschool care site. Cable is a Christian singer/songwriter and comedian who incorporates a mixture of music and humor ... Continue Reading »

Family Engagement Night

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You’re Invited!

The Bob Burdette Center is excited to announce another Family Engagement Night! Join us at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Tuesday, September 23rd at 6:00pm for an evening of connection, fun, and board games. Each person who RSVPs to attend will receive a free, healthy meal prepared by our on-site chef. In addition, ... Continue Reading »