JUNIOR BEES
Our Junior Beekeeping programme runs throughout the year, with a short break in November. Junior Bees provides a platform for young people from ages 8yrs onwards, to learn the craft of beekeeping. We go beyond just learning how to keep honeybees, we discover bee behaviour, anatomy and the impact our fragile environment has on the bees. They say beekeeping touches all aspects of the Education Curriculum and we aim to bring this into our weekly beekeeping sessions through hands on practical experience and peer learning.
WHAT'S INVOLVED
- A chat about pollinators and understand their importance, taking a look at the challenges impacting wild bees and other pollinating insects and simple things we can do to help.
- A talk about the honeybee and what you’d expect to find in a hive, the food they eat, their behaviours and their dancing skills!
- A honey tasting, sampling different honeys and the way nectar sources can change the taste and texture and the added health benefits.
- Then for the best bit – jump into a bee suit and see the bees in action, maybe even spotting the queen!
- Finishing up with homemade cake and refreshments and answering any more questions about our wonderful honey bees.
Not only are our team kind, fun and knowledgeable, they’re also qualified emergency first aiders for adults, paediatrics and anaphylaxis, so we like to think you’re in good hands. If you are a group, organisation or school aged young person and interested in coming on safari, please get in touch at thebeekeeper@thebeeschool.co.uk.
WHAT'S INVOLVED?
Our aim at The Bee School is to offer young people the opportunity to learn about and work with honeybees through hands on experience and peer learning.
We meet every Tuesday afternoon from 2pm to 4:30pm at The Bee School in Luss (except for November where we take a wee break).
During the honeybee season (April to September), the Junior bees will learn how to become competent and safe beekeepers and the time will be spent at the apiary. During October to March, we'll be focusing on the winter jobs, ensuring the bees have sufficient food stores, hive maintenance and planning for the season ahead.
We'll provide the opportunity to experience hands-on activities aligned to the education curriculum, where we can learn the theory and put this into practice.
During the Summer, The Scottish Beekeepers Association will come along and assess the Junior Bees, where they'll gain their Scottish Junior Beekeepers Qualification.
Junior Bees is free to attend and is funded by our corporate sponsorship programme, all we ask is a level of commitment from parents and guardians.
