get on the bus

I was reading in the local paper that our neighboring public school in Berryville had three buses for sale and the board approved the sale of one for $1700, leaving two unsold that they hope to sell later in the year. That brought to mind what can be done with an old bus. I had assumed that the major impediment to starting a woodworking bus would be the cost of the bus, but there are two buses in Berryville, Arkansas that can be acquired cheap.

For many years Sheila Dawson in San Diego, CA has operated a woodworking bus, taking woodworking and projects for kids to public schools throughout her area in California.

The photo shows how a bus can be fitted out for woodworking with kids, and it makes me wonder why every small town and every small school in Arkansas (and the US) does not use its old buses to launch an adventure.

So here is a simple idea: Buy an old (still working) school bus for $1700, spend an equal amount to equip it with benches and tools, and instead of buying that Harley you always wanted, give something real and meaningful to the lives of children in your community.

Today in the Clear Spring School woodshop, students will be making shaker boxes, trains, and whittlings.

Make, fix, create, and offer others the joy of learning likewise.