Bee Prepared - Group A - March/April 2025

NOTE: Dates vary slightly between Groups A and B. 

Have you fallen in love with the honey bees in your garden or during a visit to Beekeeping 101? Are you ready to take the next step to become a full-fledged beekeeper? Do you want to make 2025 your most memorable year ever? We have exactly the thing for you! 

This course provides the instruction and hands-on experience to turn a beginner into a confident backyard beekeeper. Topics include hive management, bee biology, recognizing and treating common diseases and predators, legal requirements of keeping bees in Long Beach, and more.

After completing the course successfully and at the club's discretion, participants are eligible to receive a starter bee colony at no additional cost -- subject to availability. Frames and other hive equipment are not included.  Please let us know if you want to adopt a colony and have your equipment.

This spring, our class will have several date options. Please read the dates carefully and register for the option that best suits your schedule. All options will include one in-person classroom lecture, one OPTIONAL field trip to a beekeeping supply shop, one in-person introduction to the apiary, two Zoom lectures, and one mentorship session in the bee yard. 

• The in-person classroom "Introduction to Beekeeping" will take place TUESDAY, MARCH 11, from 6-8PM at EDCO Recycling Center.
• An **optional field trip** to a beekeeping supplier will take place SATURDAY, MARCH 15, from 10-12. Carpooling options will be available.
• The first online Zoom lecture on Bee Anatomy will take place TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 7-9PM.
• The In-person "Introduction to the Apiary" will take place SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 9-11AM.
• The second online Zoom lecture on Diseases, Pests, and IPM will take place TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 7-9PM.
• Each student will sign up via email for ONE mentorship session. Dates available are Saturday, March 29, 9-11AM; Sunday, March 30, 9-11AM; Saturday, April 5, 9-11AM; Sunday, April 13, 9-11AM. Space is limited to six spots per date. You will receive an email upon registration to sign up for the mentor session. 
• NOTE: ALL STUDENTS will need their own beekeeping suit, gloves, hive tool, and smoker by the time of their scheduled mentorship session.

PRO-TIP: Become a member before registering! Pay the same price, and get all the benefits of membership.