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 »

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 »

Family Engagement Night

Enroll in Our Summer Program Enroll in Our Afterschool Program

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 »

New School Year

The Bob Burdette Center Kicks off the 2025-2026 Program Year

The Bob Burdette Center has officially begun its 2025-2026 afterschool programming year, continuing its work serving the children and families of the West Side of Charleston. This program provides students with academic support, learning opportunities, and a safe space following the school day. Each year the Bob Burdette Center partners with local schools, families, and ... Continue Reading »

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Dog!

Meeting Hercules

On August 7th, we had a very special guest come visit us. Hercules the airport dog came to visit us at the Bob Burdette Center. Hercules is a border collie who works as a wildlife patrol dog at the West Virginia International Yeager Airport in Charleston, WV. He and his partner in training, Ned, work together to protect the airstrip from other animals ... Continue Reading »