Bee School
Each year the Barnstable County Beekeepers Association (BCBA) offers a Bee School specifically designed for beginning beekeepers. The course runs from early January and into February, progressing through the key points of a hive’s lifecycle. The sessions start in the winter when new beekeepers learn basic information about the bees themselves, the proper equipment they will need, and how to assemble their hives. As the season progresses, new beekeepers learn how to introduce bees to their new hives, how to monitor the progress of their bees, when to add new components to their hives, and so on to pest control, and, finally, harvesting the honey! The course is taught by senior members of the BCBA. Each student will be partnered with an experienced member of the BCBA who is willing to provide mentoring during the student's first year.
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Before You Dive In
Please understand that beekeeping is a challenging and somewhat costly hobby. Initial setup costs for one hive, minimal equipment, and protective gear can easily top $600, plus $160 to $225 for the bees themselves. Beekeeping is an art, and succeeding requires vigilance, knowledge, continuing self-education and attention to detail. While it is a deeply rewarding hobby, it is not for those with only a passing interest. If all of this has not discouraged you, then by all means - dive in and sign up for our Bee School!
Bee School tuition for 2025 is $100 and includes a textbook, handouts, instruction, a mentoring program, and a one-year family membership (a $20 value) in the BCBA. Space is limited and fills up quickly.
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REGISTRATION ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE! Use the button below to Register.
2025 Bee School Schedule
West Barnstable Community Building, 2377 Route 149, West Barnstable
Classroom Sessions - 7:00 pm to 9 pm
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MONDAY, January 6 – Beekeeping Methods – equipment and protective gear, obtaining bees, types (sub-species) of bees, hive placement, etc.
MONDAY, January 13 – Honey Bee Biology and Behavior – fundamentals to help you understand your bees and make good beekeeping decisions.
MONDAY, January 20 – Parasites and Pests – how to recognize them and what to do about them, especially Varroa mites. How to improve your colonies’ chances of survival.
MONDAY, January 27 – Diseases and Nutrition – how to recognize diseases and what to do; keeping your bees healthy through good nutrition and feeding.
MONDAY, February 3 – Seasonal Management, Inspecting, Honey and Wax Harvesting, etc How management needs change over the seasons; how to inspect and prevent swarming and robbing; how t learn from dead colonies; harvesting honey, rendering beeswax, laws related to selling products and more!
Future learning opportunities are offered during the regular BCBA monthly meetings. Check the BCBA Newsletter, BuzzWords, for dates/times/information.
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Anticipated Arrival of Package Bees
Early April, 2025
Pick-up time and location TBA
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Hive Openings – All are Welcome to attend
May through October
Saturdays
Locations and times TBA/Watch our newsletter
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Did You Know?
Honeybees will visit about two million flowers and fly around 50,000 miles to make a one pound jar of honey.