Beekeeping Basics Workshop

Curious about honeybees or thinking about becoming a beekeeper? Join this beginner-friendly workshop exploring honeybees, hives, and honey.

Join Bill Cummings, previous Sanctuary chair and local bee keeping expert, for a hands-on, beginner and intermediate -friendly workshop designed to introduce you to the fascinating world of honeybees and the basics of beekeeping, just in time to set up your own hive!

📍 Participants will meet on Saturday, March 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Brooks Hall. Expect both an indoor and an outdoor, hands-on learning component. Lunch is provided (sandwhiches, snacks, drinks) and will feature honey—because what’s a beekeeping workshop without tasting the goods?

Bill got started in beekeeping while in engineering school at Purdue and has been keeping bees for over forty years. He currently has hives at a nature preserve in Delaware County and at the Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary. He inspected bees for disease for the state of Indiana in the 1980s. More recently, he has spent his time helping new beekeepers get started. He also has provided families and youth with the experiences of building hive parts, extracting honey, and making beeswax candles.

What We'll Cover

This workshop will combine discussion and hands-on learning, with topics including:

• The life history of honeybees
• Getting started as a beekeeper
• Hive construction, placement, and care (hands-on)
• Honey and beeswax extraction (hands-on)

No prior experience is required—this workshop is ideal for beginners or anyone curious about beekeeping.

Recommended Resources

Participants interested in continuing their learning may find these resources helpful:

• Book: The Hive and the Honeybee by Dadant (considered a foundational reference in beekeeping)
• Journal: Bee Culture (formerly Gleanings in Bee Culture)

Come ready to learn, ask questions, and get your hands a little sticky. 🐝🍯

Registration

Pre-registration is required, and participation is limited to 20 people. Registration costs $35 for Indiana Audubon members and $45 for non-members. All registered participants must review and agree to the Indiana Audubon Field Trip Release before joining any Indiana Audubon trip or event.

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Accessibility

This workshop involves minimal walking; no hiking is required. The morning will be spent in Brooks Hall going over the basics of beekeeping. ADA-compliant restrooms are available in Brooks Hall. Following lunch (provided), the workshop will move outside for hands-on learning. We may take a short walk to visit the hives at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary, less than 10 minutes of walking.

Questions

For any questions about this event email MGBS@indianaaudubon.org or call 765-205-1255. If you require accommodations to participate, please contact us as early as possible. While we may not be able to meet every request, we will make every reasonable effort to do so.

Cancellation Policy

• Full refunds are provided for Indiana Audubon events, field trips, and public programs canceled due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances.
• Events, field trips, and public programs under $10 per person (excluding processing fees) are non-refundable, as proceeds support our work.
• Refunds for events, field trips, and programs over $10 per person (excluding processing fees) require 30-day advance notice, minus a 25% administrative fee.
• Refunds for Indiana Master Naturalist programs at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary require 30-day advance notice, minus a 25% administrative fee.
• Separate cancellation policies apply to the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival and field trips, events, and public programs co-hosted by other organizations.