East Orlando Sun

April 2006

BY Jessica Seeley
Staff Writer

There's nothing typical about the Fun Bus, a new business rolling through East Orlando.

From the bright green --yes, green exterior to the sound system, external air conditioning, tinted windows, generator and banana slide out the back, Fun Bus is anything but your average big yellow school bus.

The most unique characteristic of Fun Bus is its interior. Rather than rows of black high-back seats for children to sit quietly on their way to and from school, Fun Bus is gutter and jam packed with games, toys and fitness equipment for children ranging from ages 2-7.

Set up in obstacle-course form-tunnels, slides, wedges and mats for tumbling, a balance beam, ladders, hopscotch, basketball hoop, parallel bar, trampoline and even a rock climbing wall - the Fun Bus accommodates up to 15 kids at once.  And, also unlike on a school bus, kids are encouraged to be loud and enthusiastic as each group "wakes up" the bus in the beginning of their session.

"I chose this business to invest in because I love small kids and I wanted something I could be involved in that would give me more freedom and interaction with the kids," says Kerri Yemma, pictured above, owner & operator of the Fun Bus.

Yemma has been the proud owner of the Fun Bus for only a month and already has a steady gig at Star Child Academy.  Every Wednesday, children come aboard and play for 30 minutes.  Each session varies slightly and new games and equipment are incorporated to ensure nonstop fun every time.

Each Fun Bus experience is broken up into three sections - a warm-up, circuit training and a cool down - with age-appropriate music playing to keep the kids pumped up.  A favorite is always the kids' send-off: a trip down the banana slide out the usually off limits back door of the bus to the song "Electric Slide".

All the while, participating children are "constantly being reminded they are exercising and that it's fun.  They are doing something good for their bodies," Yemma says.

This commitment to fitness, as well as fun, is summed up in Fun Bus' slogan: "Fitness fun on Wheels!"

Fitness is personally important to Yemma and she encourages her own three children to eat well and exercise.

"I think fitness and diet can easily get rid of child obesity and type 2 diabetes," says Yemma.

She also believes the Fun Bus is a needed outlet for children to break their everyday routine and enhance their physical, emotional and mental health.

The Fun Bus has been a big hit with neighborhood kids, who flood the bus, as well as with their own kids.  "We can't keep the kids off of it," she says.

Launched in New Jersey by a mother-and-daughter team, Fun Bus franchises are rolling around in about six states and counting.  Fun Bus USA Inc. provides the bus and franchisees set their prices, order equipment and market their own Fun Bus.

In addition to buses, the New Jersey based parent company maintains www.funbuses.com, featuring a section for each franchise owner to post pictures of their individual Fun Bus in action, develops Fun Bus programs and assists franchisees in selling 10-week sessions at day cares, pre-schools and birthday parties in their particular area.

To market their new Fun Bus to Central Florida, Yemma brings the bus to area preschools, day cares and other facilities armed with Fun Bus folders containing pens and packets outlining programs and activities offered.

"This is such a new concept, there is a slight fear of the unknown. But once everyone sees how positive it is, they are more receptive," says Yemma.

Fun Bus also does free demonstrations and open houses for schools to familiarize directors, parents and children with the fun and fitness benefits.  Parents are also assured of their children's safety while aboard the Fun Bus.  The keys to the bus are always in Yemma's pocket, not the ignition, the entrance to the bus is blocked to avoid wandering, all equipment is sanitized after each use, the Fun Bus is fully insured and Yemma is safety certified.

"It's rewarding for working parents to hear about their kids having a fun, positive experience with Fun Bus in school or day care," says Yemma.

As for Yemma, her rewards for operating the Orlando-area Fun Bus have come in the form of hugs from happy kids.

"One little girl hugged me and said she wanted to keep me," Yemma says with a smile.