Boys & Girls Club of Central Appalachia

07/24/2026

Boys & Girls Club of Central Appalachia Throwback to 2017 with Commander Nathan Stacy and the Infamous Hurley Rocket Club.

GREAT FUTURES START HERE!!!

Check out launch day at Boys & Girls Club of Central Appalachia Hur...

07/24/2026

Upcoming Events & Community Bulletin Board from our Community Partners at STRONG ACC:

07/24/2026

From our Community Partner, Rachel Patton, Executive Director of the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board:

The Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board will be hosting a series of CORE events across the region next week. These events are targeted towards recent high school graduates who may have left school without solid plans for work or training and are realizing at the end of summer that they may need one. We see this often with youth. They want to take the summer after graduation off, but then realize that, as school starts back up, they need to focus on their future. They could have even taken a year or two and are just now realizing they need a plan.

These events will help them research options, discover resources, and develop a game plan for entering the workforce. We are in our final outreach push this week. Please share with those in your community who could benefit.

06/19/2026

🖤💛📣 STEM + Spirit = Eagle Pride! 🦅✨

Our Varsity Football Cheerleaders recently put their STEM skills to the test by taking their cheer bows to the next level! 🎀🔬⚙️

Using Cricut design, creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and a little engineering magic, these talented athletes designed and built custom additions to their bows, creating one-of-a-kind accessories that showcase both their school spirit and innovation. 💡🎨🛠️

This hands-on project gave our cheerleaders the opportunity to blend science, technology, engineering, and creativity while expressing their unique personalities. The results? Stunning, custom-designed bows that are sure to turn heads on the sidelines all season long! 🌟📣

We are so proud of the hard work, imagination, and teamwork these young leaders demonstrated throughout the project. Their creations are a perfect example of how STEM learning can be fun, practical, and full of spirit! 🎉👏

We can't wait to see these custom bow designs shining under the Friday night lights as they proudly cheer on the Eagles this football season! 🖤💛🦅🏈

🦅📣✨

06/19/2026

More pics from Summer Stem Academy from the awesome Mrs. Staci Griffey!

06/19/2026

🏫❤️ HOME. HISTORY. FAMILY. FUTURE. ❤️🏫

At the Boys & Girls Club of Central Appalachia (BGCCA)/Buchanan County Public Schools Summer STEM Academy, we are not only building future innovators but also celebrating the people and places that helped shape us.

Today was especially meaningful as we welcomed Mrs. Ruth Tester, former Principal of Hurley Elementary/Middle School and one of the founding champions of BGCCA when our very first BGCCA Club was established at HEMS in 2007. 🎉

Mrs. Tester played an instrumental role in launching our after-school program, and her dedication to students, families, and our community laid the foundation on which BGCCA continues to grow today. Her unwavering commitment to putting children first made a lasting impact on countless lives, and we remain forever grateful for her leadership, support, and friendship. ❤️

The memories made at Hurley are truly legendary! From unforgettable 🎭 Christmas plays to multiple 🤖 LEGO Robotics teams advancing to the Virginia State Championships, HEMS has always been a place where students are encouraged to dream big and achieve even bigger.

As soon as you walk through the doors at Hurley, you're greeted with a warm smile from the wonderful Mrs. Gail Lester, and the famous Hurley Hospitality is immediately on display. ☕😊

⭐ Fun Fact: Our own Roberta Young is the longest-tenured BGCCA employee with19 years of service, and we simply couldn't ask for a more dedicated, caring, and passionate team member. She has helped shape generations of Club members and continues to inspire everyone around her!

This week at Summer STEM Academy, our students have been unleashing their creativity and innovation by:

🎨 Designing infographic posters on the theme "What I Can't Live Without"

👕 Creating custom T-shirts using Cricut technology

⚡ Exploring electronic circuitry and coding through our award-winning 🏆 Makey Makey programming

🧠 Developing problem-solving, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills that will serve them for a lifetime

The imagination, creativity, and excitement happening in our STEM Academy prove that there are no limits to what our students can achieve when given opportunities to learn, explore, and create!

BGCCA would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to:

👏 Mrs. Ruth Tester

👏 Buchanan County Public Schools

👏 Hurley Elementary/Middle School

👏 Principal Brandon Davis

👏 Our ROCK STAR Unit Directors LeeAnna Wallace & Roberta Young

👏 Vanessa Justice

👏 Judy Sargent Spencer

👏 Our incredible teachers, faculty, staff, cafeteria workers, custodians, volunteers, parents, and supporters at HEMS

❤️ Our BCPS Rockstar educators Kayla Cantrell, Staci Griffey, and Michelle Baker

❤️ BGCCA Intern, Clair Griffey

Hurley is our HOME, our Charter Unit, our beginning, and always a special place in the BGCCA story. More importantly, it's a place where everyone is treated like family. ❤️🏡

💙 GREAT PEOPLE WORK HERE!!!

💛 GREAT STUDENTS LEARN HERE!!!

💙 GREAT TEACHERS TEACH HERE!!!

💛 GREAT FUTURES START HERE!!!

06/18/2026

🌟👏 It takes a special group of people to inspire the next generation, and we are incredibly grateful for the outstanding educators who made the 2026 Summer STEM Academy a success! 👏🌟

A heartfelt THANK YOU goes to Michelle Baker, Staci Griffey, Kayla Cantrell, Claire Griffey, and Landon Harris for their dedication, passion, and commitment to our students. ❤️

Year after year, these exceptional educators generously give up an entire month of their summer to invest in the future of Buchanan County's youth. Through hands-on learning experiences, cutting-edge STEM technology, innovative programming, and exciting new equipment, they are helping elementary and middle school students discover new possibilities and build skills that will serve them for a lifetime. 🚀🔬💻🤖

Their efforts are doing more than teaching science, technology, engineering, and math; they are cultivating curiosity, confidence, creativity, and career readiness. From coding and robotics to problem-solving and critical thinking, our students are gaining experiences that prepare them for future studies, career development, and success in tomorrow's workforce. 🌎✨

We believe in starting them young in Buchanan County, and thanks to educators like these, our students have opportunities that open doors and inspire big dreams. 💡📚

Please join us in celebrating and thanking these remarkable Buchanan County teachers for the difference they make in the lives of our children and our community every single year! 🎉🙌

GREAT EDUCATORS TEACH HERE!!!

06/18/2026

💙💛 ONE WORD describes Council Elementary/Middle School: FAMILY! 💛💙

The Boys & Girls Club of Central Appalachia and Buchanan County Public Schools were honored to spend an incredible week at Council Elementary/Middle School for our 2026 Summer STEM Academy, and from the moment we arrived, we were welcomed like family! 🏫❤️

A heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to Joan Hart, Rita Breeding, Kelly Mackey, and the entire CEMS faculty and staff for their hospitality, encouragement, and unwavering support. Your kindness helped create an unforgettable experience for our students and team! 🙌✨

This summer, our young innovators explored a world of creativity, technology, and hands-on learning with the guidance of Buchanan County Public Schools' superstar educators ⭐ Kayla Cantrell, Staci Griffey, Michelle Baker, and Boys & Girls Club of Central Appalachia Intern Clair Griffey.

🔬 Students dove into exciting STEM activities, including:

🎮 Learning computer programming and circuitry with our award-winning 🏆 Makey Makey STEM Kits

📊 Designing creative infographic posters themed “What I Can’t Live Without”

💻 Exploring Tinkercad Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD)

🔑 Designing and printing their own custom 3D keychains

🖨️ Discovering the endless possibilities of 3D Printing Technology

👕 Creating and printing personalized t-shirts using Cricut Design Software and Hardware

✈️ Testing engineering concepts through friendly paper airplane challenges

Every project encouraged students to think critically, solve problems creatively, and imagine new possibilities for their future. There truly is no limit to imagination and innovation when STEM education is involved! 🚀🌟

Since its inception, the Boys & Girls Club of Central Appalachia & Buchanan County Public Schools Summer STEM Academy has empowered Central Appalachian youth by introducing cutting-edge technology, fostering creativity, and helping students develop the skills needed for future academic success and workforce readiness. 🎓💡⚙️

👏 SPECIAL THANKS to everyone who helped make this academy a tremendous success:

💙 Buchanan County Public Schools
💙 Council Elementary/Middle School
💙 Joan Hart
💙 Rita Breeding
💙 Kelly Mackey
💙 Kayla Cantrell
💙 Staci Griffey
💙 Michelle Baker
💙 Clair Griffey
💙 The awesome ladies in the front office at CEMS❤️
💙 The dedicated CEMS cafeteria staff 🍽️
💙 The hardworking CEMS janitorial staff 🧹
💙 Buchanan County Sheriff's Office 🚔
💙 And the boss man himself, Sir Landon Harris 👑

Together, we are inspiring the next generation of innovators, creators, engineers, and leaders right here in Central Appalachia! 🌄❤️

🚀 GREAT FUTURES START HERE! 🚀

06/05/2026

🚀🔬✨ The Boys & Girls Club of Central Appalachia & Buchanan County Public Schools Summer STEM Academy is THE place to be this June! ✨🔬 🚀💡

🚀 From infographic design to 3D printing and hands-on coding and circuitry with Makey Makey, our Summer STEM Academy students are turning imagination into innovation! 💡✨

Every project sparks creativity, builds confidence, and inspires the next generation of problem-solvers and leaders. The future is being created right here in Central Appalachia! 🌟🔬⚙️

Today was packed with innovation, creativity, and hands-on learning as our students explored the exciting world of STEM! 🌟

🎨 Students designed and created their own infographic posters centered around the theme "What I Can't Live Without", showcasing their unique interests, passions, and creative thinking.

🖨️ Using cutting-edge technology, students designed and printed their very own custom 3D keychains, bringing their digital creations to life right before their eyes!

⚡💻 Our future innovators also dove into the fascinating world of electronic circuitry and computer programming with our award-winning 🏆 Makey Makey technology, discovering how creativity and coding can work together to solve problems and create amazing inventions.

At Summer STEM Academy, there are no limits to imagination, innovation, and creativity! Every day is an opportunity to explore, discover, and build skills that will inspire the leaders, engineers, scientists, and creators of tomorrow. 🌎🔭🧠

We are incredibly proud of our students for embracing challenges, thinking outside the box, and showing that the future is bright right here in Central Appalachia! 💙💛

⭐ GREAT FUTURES START HERE!!!⭐

🚀🔬💡

06/03/2026

🌱👏 BIG SHOUTOUT to our incredible community partners at Big Sandy Soil & Water Conservation District! 👏🌱

A special thank you to Jeannie Presley and her amazing staff for their dedication and leadership in supporting Farm to School Programs across our elementary and middle schools in Buchanan County. 🍎🥕🚜 Their commitment is helping students connect with local agriculture, healthy foods, and hands-on learning opportunities that will benefit them for years to come.

We also want to recognize Lindsay Felty and Appalachian Sustainable Development for their continued support and partnership in strengthening our county’s Farm to School initiatives. 🌽🌻💚

At the Boys & Girls Club of Central Appalachia, we are honored to work alongside organizations that are making a lasting impact on the lives of our youth and communities. Together, we're cultivating healthier futures, stronger schools, and brighter opportunities for the next generation! 🌟🤝

GREAT FUTURES START HERE!!!

🌱🍅🌽