Beekeeping Class, Pleasant Hill
Friday, April 28, 2017
Website: Mt Diablo Beekeepers Association
Fees: Donation-based. Fees vary per event or field trip.
About: MDBA is an all-volunteer 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization working to promote beekeeping and educate the public about the vital role of bees in our environment. MDBA is one of the largest beekeeping clubs in California with over 400 members. MDBA meets monthly and meetings are free and open to the public.
+ Kids' Beekeeping Class - We scheduled a private group field trip to meet with volunteer educator, Mr. Gary Lawrence, from Mt. Diablo Beekeepers Association. We had mostly homeschoolers for this particular meet-up, so it was more educational, than our usual free play outings. We met at Gary’s home for a morning class. His Mediterranean-inspired landscape is designed around keeping bees and drought tolerant native plants.
The MDBA volunteers teach a class about honey bees: their life cycle; roles of the bees & life in the hive; pollination; stresses and pressures on bees; and ways to help bees. They bring color posters, an observation hive, beekeeping tools and artifacts, and the class ends with honey-tasting (the kids favorite part!).
++ I will do my best to schedule another field trip to meet with Gary. He was an absolute gem, so warm, welcoming, funny, and knowledgeable. He was thoroughly enjoyed by kids and parents.
