The Magic Bus concept was introduced by the Vail Valley Foundation roughly 10 years ago and was created to increase youth literacy by bringing books to kids who had limited, if any, contact with reading materials. Seats were removed, cushions/bean bags were scattered on the floor, and some 800 books were shelved in what had been a 15-passenger “people mover.” It currently serves 300 children a day by visiting day care centers located from Vail to Dotsero.
We are now in the process of expanding and revamping the Magic Bus program to create a fleet of mobile classrooms, each designed to accommodate presentations as well as interactive experiences and featuring work areas, a flat screen panel and DVD/VCR player, sound system, books and more – all creatively packaged to appeal to a child’s sense of wonder. Each vehicle will accommodate 6-12 preschool-age (3-5) kids plus up to four adults at a time.
The goal of the Magic Bus program is to reach out to children who get limited, if any, preschool experience and help them gain skills needed to hit the ground running in kindergarten. In discussions with local educators, we learned that many children are not ready for this critical transition, which puts them behind their peers. Studies show that children who are excited and ready to learn will have a greater rate of success, and there is a growing need to “prime the pump” and instill some basic skills they will need when they enter the school system. For that reason, the new Magic Bus will visit both licensed and non-licensed (home-based) childcare centers throughout the Vail Valley.
The vehicles have been generously donated by Beaver Creek Resort Company, and along with our corporate partner Vail Resorts and our many individual donors, we are making a difference in the lives of young children throughout the Vail Valley. Please call or email the Vail Valley Foundation at 970.949.1999 for more information.
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