Why We Chose a School Bus (and Fell in Love With Hermi)

If you’ve been part of our learning community for a while, you already know him. He’s big, yellow, and surprisingly comfy for a bus! His name is Hermi — short for Hermiston, the city in Oregon where he had his very first job keeping children safe.

When we realized we needed a vehicle to truly bring our dream to life, we considered both a van and a school bus. A van would be easier to park, less expensive up front, and better suited for tight spaces. But ultimately, the benefits of a school bus far outweighed the convenience of a smaller vehicle.

Hermi is a short school bus built on a van chassis, which makes him relatively easy to maneuver and park — but with all the added safety of a full-fledged school bus. We chose a bus because school buses are designed to meet the highest federal safety standards of any passenger vehicle. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, school buses — especially smaller ones like Hermi — are among the safest ways for children to travel.

Here are a few reasons why:

• Reinforced steel frame: Built with heavy-gauge steel and strong joints, creating a protective “safety cage” around passengers.
• Energy-absorbing, compartmentalized seating: High-backed, padded seats are spaced closely together to protect children from impact—no car seats required.
• Lower center of gravity: Short buses like Hermi are very stable and less prone to tipping, especially when compared to taller vans or SUVs.
• Dual rear wheels: Provide better traction, weight distribution, and stability on uneven terrain.
• Enhanced visibility: Bright yellow paint, large windows, and wide mirrors make Hermi easy to see—and give me excellent visibility on the road.
• Seat belts for added security: While not required by law, Hermi is equipped with lap belts, which we always use for an extra layer of protection.
• Multiple emergency exits: Including a rear door and side windows for quick evacuation if needed.

So we searched and searched and finally found our bus in Hermiston, OR. But it turns out, Hermi is so much more than a bus.

He’s our rolling classroom, our gear hauler, our home base in the forest. With under-seat storage and open space up front, Hermi carries everything we need for joyful outdoor learning — making it easy for us to bring our classroom to Riverside State Park while following Leave No Trace principles all year long.

Inside Hermi, you’ll find a music bin, yoga mats, a large canvas tarp to create a cozy outdoor space (or an epic fort!), exploration tools, a portable mud kitchen, a parachute, team games, art supplies, and more. We also keep essentials on hand: collapsible cones for setting boundaries or roadside emergencies, a portable bathroom, a large first aid and trauma kit (plus smaller ones in our backpacks), drinking water, and of course — snacks.

Oh, and did I mention? He’s adorable. Just look at this bus and tell me you’re not smitten.

If you see him pulling into Bowl and Pitcher, give us a wave!