Big Green Bus stops for parties, playful exercise
MADISON – Take a school bus. Apply imagination and playfulness. Plan exercise and games for party fun and building social skills. Add it all up, and you get Big Green Bus.
Owner/operator Will Quincy opened Big Green Bus HSV for business in October 2014. He had worked as a warehouse manager, and wife LaDonna was an area sales manager for an auto finance company.
Their demanding jobs required long hours. “We realized our children were quickly growing up. We wanted to spend more time together as a family. After a lot of praying and discussion, we decided it was time for a change,” Will said.
In evaluating new careers, the Quincys wanted options that sparked their passion and were family-oriented. As high school and college instructors, they remembered the joy of teaching.
As parents of pre-schoolers, they understood local options for birthday parties and extracurricular activities at schools. To fill both niches, the Quincys decided to start a family business to offer fun, exciting activities.
Big Green Bus HSV accommodates different types of special events, such as birthday parties, school activities, church events and corporate gatherings. “We also support various non-profit organizations, like Footprints Ministry and Project Sweet Peas,” Will said.
Using experience as a competitive gymnast, Will currently offers a weekly gymnastics class at 10 preschools with Big Green Bus. Year-round classes meet four times monthly for 40 minutes for children from two to seven years old.
The actual school bus, a 1987 Blue Bird, has an International 9.0 tractor engine. The space accommodates 12 children at a time. By interacting with peers, children learn to respect one another, be polite and take turns.
Gymnastics fundamentals are the basis of activities. “We want kids to have fun while enhancing their balance, coordination, strength, flexibility and agility,” Will said. Children will use gymnastic rings and bars, climbing ladder, rock wall and mini-trampoline.
“The kids’ all-time favorite is to zip line into a ball pit. We’re constantly changing out equipment and coming up with innovative ideas,” Will said.
“Kids love Mr. Will and often tell him how he’s the most fun person they know,” LaDonna said. “Mr. Will is just a big kid himself. Schools sometimes joke that he is their superhero.”
Will’s hometown is Montgomery, and LaDonna is from Wetumpka. Both graduates of Auburn University, Will earned a degree in business management, and LaDonna, who was a majorette, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in apparel merchandising and business.
“Like most people, we moved to Madison for a job opportunity in 2012. We have learned that God actually brought us here for another reason … to start Big Green Bus HSV,” Will said.
“Our two beautiful daughters attend Madison Elementary School. Ella Jean is eight and will enter third grade. Allie Madison is six and is an upcoming second-grader,” Will said.
Both girls suggest new ideas for Big Green Bus, test equipment and, as competitive gymnasts, are always eager to help with events on the Big Green Bus.
Big Green Bus’ mailing address is P. O. Box 2293, Madison, AL 35758. For information, call 256-808-6178, email Will@BigGreenBusHSV.com or visit BigGreenBusHSV.com or Facebook/Big Green Bus HSV.
