2020 Bee School FAQ
What textbook will be used at BeeSchool?
"The Backyard Beekeeper", 4th Edition, by Kim Flottum. Kim edits Bee Culture magazine and is a regular speaker at state and regional beekeeping conferences. He is knowledgeable, entertaining and an excellent writer. An increasing number of students want e-books instead of paper and so students should purchase their own text in their preferred format.
Can we register as a neighborhood group, a couple or a family?
Each student must be individually registered to attend Bee School. Please let us know your group so we can assign all to same Mentors.
Should I also separately join MeckBees and the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association?
No, your BeeSchool registration comes with a 2002 membership to both MeckBees and NCSBA.
Can my child attend Bee School?
Students as young as 6 years have successfully attended BeeSchool. Registered children under 16 must be accompanied at each class by a registered parent or guardian. Each minor student and their parent or guardian must be individually registered to attend BeeSchool. Unregistered children cannot be allowed to sit with their registered parent in the class room or be left unattended outside the class room.
Do you offer a refund if I decide not to continue Bee school?
Class size is limited by our classroom capacity and registration fills up quickly. Since we turn away students after registration fills, we cannot offer refunds if your plans change.
How will Students be matched with Mentors?
Mentors and students will be matched geographically. Each Mentor will work with several students which provides a great opportunity for sharing goals, experiences and resources within your Mentor group. Let us know if you have a prior Mentor preference or if you need a revised Mentor assignment.
Can I send someone else if I must miss a class?
Only registered students may attend Bee School. If you must miss a class you can download class handouts, study the recommended readings or share notes from other students in your Mentoring group.
Can I bring a guest to class?
Only registered students may attend Bee School. Class size is limited by room capacity and we cannot accept guests or visitors.
How big is the class?
We expect over 100 students.
When should I arrive for classes?
Doors will open at 6:30 pm for classes. Classes will begin promptly at 7 pm so please arrive in time to park, check-in, get a name tag, chat with Mentors and fellow students and find a seat up front. Doors will lock automatically at 7:15 pm, so if you arrive after this time you must call the number posted on the door for entry.
Will classes or slide presentations be available on-line?
We cannot record classes or distribute presentations. There will be handouts distributed prior to each class along with links to recommended readings.
What sort of hives will be covered in Bee School?
Bee School is designed for students to develop a working knowledge of beginner-level beekeeping practices applicable to our Carolina Piedmont region. We will discuss conventional Langstroth hives to illustrate these beginner-level beekeeping practices.
What if it snows on class day?
In the event of severe weather, we will cancel class on that date. Students will be notified by email by 5 pm and a cancellation notice will be posted on www.meckbees.org. A missed class will be rescheduled.
Where do I go for Bee School?
BeeSchool will be held at Providence Baptist Church, 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28211.
Is it too late to order bees and hives to start beekeeping in the spring? Is this something we need to do on our own, or will there be a way for us to connect with someone who can help?
No, you’re not too late. BeeSchool is structured so that students learn about hive equipment and bee procurement options well in time to order. There are local beekeepers who sell nucleus colonies and/or hive equipment. You can also buy bees and hive equipment from regional and national equipment suppliers. Mentors will help you with specific decisions and you will receive equipment catalogs and flyers from local suppliers.
Should I use my work email to register for BeeSchool?
We recommend that you use a personal rather than a work email account. Many large companies restrict emails received from a mailing list and don’t allow access to Drop Box accounts. We don’t want you to miss any announcements or course materials.
Please contact meckbeeschool@gmail.com for other questions.
"The Backyard Beekeeper", 4th Edition, by Kim Flottum. Kim edits Bee Culture magazine and is a regular speaker at state and regional beekeeping conferences. He is knowledgeable, entertaining and an excellent writer. An increasing number of students want e-books instead of paper and so students should purchase their own text in their preferred format.
Can we register as a neighborhood group, a couple or a family?
Each student must be individually registered to attend Bee School. Please let us know your group so we can assign all to same Mentors.
Should I also separately join MeckBees and the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association?
No, your BeeSchool registration comes with a 2002 membership to both MeckBees and NCSBA.
Can my child attend Bee School?
Students as young as 6 years have successfully attended BeeSchool. Registered children under 16 must be accompanied at each class by a registered parent or guardian. Each minor student and their parent or guardian must be individually registered to attend BeeSchool. Unregistered children cannot be allowed to sit with their registered parent in the class room or be left unattended outside the class room.
Do you offer a refund if I decide not to continue Bee school?
Class size is limited by our classroom capacity and registration fills up quickly. Since we turn away students after registration fills, we cannot offer refunds if your plans change.
How will Students be matched with Mentors?
Mentors and students will be matched geographically. Each Mentor will work with several students which provides a great opportunity for sharing goals, experiences and resources within your Mentor group. Let us know if you have a prior Mentor preference or if you need a revised Mentor assignment.
Can I send someone else if I must miss a class?
Only registered students may attend Bee School. If you must miss a class you can download class handouts, study the recommended readings or share notes from other students in your Mentoring group.
Can I bring a guest to class?
Only registered students may attend Bee School. Class size is limited by room capacity and we cannot accept guests or visitors.
How big is the class?
We expect over 100 students.
When should I arrive for classes?
Doors will open at 6:30 pm for classes. Classes will begin promptly at 7 pm so please arrive in time to park, check-in, get a name tag, chat with Mentors and fellow students and find a seat up front. Doors will lock automatically at 7:15 pm, so if you arrive after this time you must call the number posted on the door for entry.
Will classes or slide presentations be available on-line?
We cannot record classes or distribute presentations. There will be handouts distributed prior to each class along with links to recommended readings.
What sort of hives will be covered in Bee School?
Bee School is designed for students to develop a working knowledge of beginner-level beekeeping practices applicable to our Carolina Piedmont region. We will discuss conventional Langstroth hives to illustrate these beginner-level beekeeping practices.
What if it snows on class day?
In the event of severe weather, we will cancel class on that date. Students will be notified by email by 5 pm and a cancellation notice will be posted on www.meckbees.org. A missed class will be rescheduled.
Where do I go for Bee School?
BeeSchool will be held at Providence Baptist Church, 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28211.
Is it too late to order bees and hives to start beekeeping in the spring? Is this something we need to do on our own, or will there be a way for us to connect with someone who can help?
No, you’re not too late. BeeSchool is structured so that students learn about hive equipment and bee procurement options well in time to order. There are local beekeepers who sell nucleus colonies and/or hive equipment. You can also buy bees and hive equipment from regional and national equipment suppliers. Mentors will help you with specific decisions and you will receive equipment catalogs and flyers from local suppliers.
Should I use my work email to register for BeeSchool?
We recommend that you use a personal rather than a work email account. Many large companies restrict emails received from a mailing list and don’t allow access to Drop Box accounts. We don’t want you to miss any announcements or course materials.
Please contact meckbeeschool@gmail.com for other questions.