Re: Free School Bus?
Schroeder, Brian (Brian.Schroeder.3@LEXIS-NEXIS.COM)
Fri, 30 Apr 1999 15:12:45 -0400
I have seen a lot of negative comments on this, and while they are valid
considerations, I want to point out the positive sides.
My troop has found that having our bus makes for good "group building"
activities. The Scouts are all forced to be together, so there is plenty of
time for getting to know each other, by playing cards or other board games.
We have re-configured the seats in our bus so that every other seat faces
backwards (that was not an easy job, but we found a local repair shop to do
the work for us). That way, we have two seats facing each other, and by
placing a piece of plywood on their laps, the scouts have tables to use for
cards or whatever. And, since we usually have 10-20 new scouts each year,
it gives me a chance to learn all of their names, which I would never be
able to do if we weren't all together for a 2-3 hour bus ride.
<QUOTE>
It removes the obligation for parents to be involved in
transportation. The loss of parental support on activities will
be your biggest expense.
</QUOTE>
We have not seen this happen. We always have plenty of adults involved, and
for some, the fact that they DON'T have to drive gets them involved.
<QUOTE>
The cost of ownership (maintenance, insurance, storage, etc) will far
exceed the budget of most scout units.
</QUOTE>
I have seen this mentioned a lot, and this is probably the biggest obstacle
to having a bus. To deal with this, we work with our Chartered Org. They
help us pay for insurance and maintenance and they provide storage. In
return, they use the bus, mostly for their youth group.
<QUOTE>
7 to 8 MPG
</QUOTE>
Again, this is true, but.... is 7MPG times 1 vehicle greater or less than
25MPG times 6 vehicles? (assuming the bus holds 44 like ours and you take 6
minivans instead, and I am guessing on MPG for a minivan)
Sorry for the length of this, but I wanted to point out the other side of
the discussion.
