Kendall school bus gets new life as Arctic retreat in Finland
Photos courtesy of Kendall Central School: Kendall the Bus now stays alongside Lake Miekojärvi in Sirkkakoski, Finland.
Press release, Kendall Central School
KENDALL – From a small town in New York to the edge of the world, the story of Kendall Central School District’s retired school bus is a testament to adventure, creativity, and the unexpected connections that unite us across the globe.
Formerly known as Bus 126, the bright yellow vehicle once transported students throughout Orleans County. These days, the bus—renamed “Kendall” as a nod to the district it once served—sits peacefully on the shores of Lake Miekojärvi, having embarked on an unexpected journey to the heart of Finnish Lapland to be converted into a lakeside retreat.
The interior living area of “Kendall” features two sets of bunk beds, a seating area, and a small kitchen, along with other small luxuries.
The adventure began with a simple message to the district’s website earlier this year:
“I have purchased an American school bus in northern Finland,” wrote Joakim Nordstrom, who—along with partner Jennifer Carver—is now the proud owner of the converted vehicle. “On the side of the bus there are old stickers saying Kendall Central Schools. After some research, I believe this is your school.”
Their message kicked off a delightful investigation into the bus’s history, which revealed its sale by Kendall Central School in 2019 and eventual shipment overseas. After being heavily renovated by a previous owner, Kendall the Bus is now being transformed into a one-of-a-kind arctic getaway for travelers near the Arctic Circle.
“It was a surprise when we found out that one of our buses made it all the way to Finland and is being repurposed and will be used for years to come,” said Superintendent Nick Picardo. “I hope ‘Kendall’ brings as much joy to others as it did to the many students it greeted each morning with smiles on their faces!”
The back of the bus where the emergency exit door is located has been converted to a bedroom with a queen-sized bed and the perfect doorway to gaze out at the scenery through.
Plans for the bus’s next chapter include a lakeside terrace, a hot tub, and a redesigned cozy interior. Photos from its time at Kendall CSD will also be featured in the final design, giving guests a glimpse into small-town student life in upstate New York.
“It is amazing that a bus I used to drive here at Kendall when I was a substitute driver has made it all the way to Finland – 3,826 miles and an ocean apart,” said Karen Jones, Director of Transportation. “Now as Director of Transportation, I always wonder what happens to buses once we are done with them. I love that Bus 126 was reinvented into something for people to use for years to come and that a little piece of Kendall history is now in Finland.”
Joakim and Jennifer plan to launch a website and social media channels to document Kendall’s transformation. The district looks forward to following along and seeing how this once-routine ride becomes a global story of connection, creativity, and second chances.
From the streets of Kendall to the forests of Finland, Bus 126 proves that sometimes the ride doesn’t end when the wheels stop turning—it just finds a new road to travel.
Former Bus 126 on the first day of school, 2016. Bus 126 was retired at the end of this school year in 2017.
