Theresa Swope

Baldwin Times reporter

It's hard to miss the big yellow bus that rumbles around town, with a few primary colors added to the paint scheme. The Tumblebus doesn't take children to school - it takes school to children.

Resident Chuck Peak brought the new business to town when he and his family moved here from Tuscaloosa.

"My wife's family is from here and we wanted to get back here, so I was trying to figure out a way to do that," Peak said.

The Tumblebus is a modified school bus that has been outfitted with various tumbling and gymnastics equipment designed specifically for children from walking toddlers to eight or nine years old.

He said he learned about the Tumblebus while still in Tuscaloosa, where a Tumblebus offered services to the daycare Peak's three-year-old son attended.

"We provide classes for fun fitness to daycares and preschools," he said. "We teach motor skills and self esteem in a non-competitive environment."

Peak is currently offering free demonstrations to schools. Classes are offered on a weekly or twice-weekly schedule and last 30 minutes. An annual registration fee is required at enrollment, providing each child with a Tumblebus t-shirt.

Lessons are $10 per session. Those prepaying for five or 15 weeks receive 50 percent off a second child. The 15-week plan includes a Tumblebus gift.

"We begin with a warm-up, then have an obstacle course and games," Peak said. The obstacle course consists of a ramp for learning rolls, a balance beam, trampoline, monkey bars and a soft horse for jumping (or climbing) over.

"We also do birthday parties. They are modified and last one hour," he said.

For more information, call Peak at (251) 751-4386, email gulfcoasttumblebus.com or visit www.gulfcoasttumblebus.com.