EMBARC Beekeeping

What to expect: Take part in our Junior Beekeeper program at the DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs. Led by experienced Park Rangers and Beekeepers, we look forward to a fun day of learning about bees! Come prepared to get an up-close and safe view of the bees hard at work in the hives while wearing protective bee suits. We will harvest and extract honey from the hives, so please be ready to get a bit sticky with the tasty treat.

Program leader: Your guide will be Ranger Rachel, Park Naturalist at EMBARC Youth Farm and Ed Morgan, beekeeper and founder of The Atlanta Bee Company.

Where to meet: Upon entering the gate, turn right and park in front of the brown building. Walk into the garden and meet at the picnic tables with red umbrellas for check in.

What to bring: Please make sure to wear close-toed shoes and weather appropriate clothing. Each participant MUST bring a reusable water bottle. We will have a large cooler of water to refill bottles and provide the protective gear. 

Restrooms: The available bathroom is the portapotty located in the parking lot by park headquarters (professionally cleaned twice a week).

Recommended ages: This program content is for AGES 10 and up. If children under 15 are attending, they MUST be accompanied and supervised by an adult during the entire program.

Weather contingency: This program will be held rain or shine unless conditions are deemed unsafe by DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs (RPCA). If there is rain, there may be limited time spent in the hives, but the honey harvest will continue and be held in the greenhouse.

Walking distance: Bee hives are a tenth of a mile away from the garden.

Exposure: The walk to and from the bee apiary is in full sun. There is limited covered seating next to the apiary and the greenhouse will have a controlled environment.

Trail surface & accessibility: There is an established grassy path to the apiary. DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs is committed to providing inclusive and accessible programs. Reasonable accommodations may be available upon request. To request an accommodation, please contact the program organizer at least 48 hours in advance of the event. Questions if this program will work for your mobility? Contact Ranger Rachel: rcroberts@dekalbcountyga.gov

Waiver & Release: By registering for this activity, each participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that he/she is participating in this program at his/her own risk and holds DeKalb County and all its officers, agents, servants, and/or employees harmless from and against any and all claims, loss, damage, charge, or expense to which they or any of them may be put or subjected by reason of participant’s participation in this program. You further acknowledge that DeKalb County is not responsible for the acts of others participating in this program and the other participants may include, but not be limited to, interested individuals, members of civic groups, religious groups, or community group, and/or persons convicted of crimes and/or violations of County ordinances and ordered to provide community service. I give permission that all photographs, films, video recordings, and sound recordings of me and/or my child(ren) made by the DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs during this Naturalist program may be used non- commercially by the DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs to promotion and educational purposes. I understand and acknowledge that neither my child(ren) nor I will receive any compensation whatsoever for appearing in any photograph, film, video recording, or sound recording made by the DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs.