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The Bob Burdette Blog

Creating Space for Youth Voices at the Bob Burdette Center
The Bob Burdette Center is more than just a place for students to go when the school day ends. We are a space where our students can grow, explore new interests, and build meaningful relationships in a safe environment. One of the most powerful ways to strengthen these environments is through youth–adult partnerships. Youth-adult partnerships are an important relationship that occurs between a child and an adult that is ... Continue Reading »

Looking Back at Past Summer Programs
As we begin preparing for this year’s upcoming summer program, we are taking a look back at past summers that students have spent with us. Our summer program provides full-day childcare beginning at 8:00 a.m., and students must be picked up by 5:30 p.m. Throughout the day, we serve breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. We follow the guidelines of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to ensure that ... Continue Reading »

Encouraging Mindfulness at the Bob Burdette Center
In a blog post last week we spoke about the role of social and emotional learning (SEL) at the Bob Burdette Center. One way we implement SEL is by teaching mindfulness techniques to our students. Mindfulness is an important skill for children to learn, as it helps improve focus, supports emotional regulation, and reduces stress. Mindfulness is often depicted as being strictly meditation. While meditation is one form of mindfulness, ... Continue Reading »

We’re All Dressed Up with Snow-where to Go!
The snow last weekend has kept Kanawha County Schools and the Bob Burdette Center closed for the entire week. While the snow has kept students out of the classroom, it doesn’t mean that learning has to stop. One great way to keep kids engaged on days without school or afterschool programs is by encouraging reading and creativity. Whether through physical books or audiobooks, reading provides children with a calm ... Continue Reading »

Let’s Get Moving!

How Physical Activity Helps Kids Focus

After a full day of sitting in classrooms, focusing, and following rigid structures, children often arrive at afterschool programs with a lot of built-up energy. Movement is not only a way for students to release some of that energy; it is an essential part of their overall well-being and development. Moving after school helps increase blood flow to the ... Continue Reading »

Social and Emotional Learning at the Bob Burdette Center
At the Bob Burdette Center, we focus on the well-being of our students in many ways. In past blog posts we have discussed some of our academic focuses, such as one-to-one tutoring, as well as our emphasis on physical well-being through CACFP. While these areas are important, they are not the only factors that contribute to a child’s overall development. Interacting with peers in a kind and respectful manner ... Continue Reading »

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 »
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