What is Bee School ™️

🐝 Bee School™ at Mellifera Estates

Bee School™ beckons young adventurers ages 3–12 to step into the fascinating world of honeybees!

Children don real bee suits, use actual hive tools, and explore real hive boxes as they discover what is happening inside a honeybee colony. Guided by experienced beekeepers, students learn about honeybees, pollination, the honeybee life cycle, herbs that bees love, and what it is really like to be a beekeeper for a day.

Every Bee School™ is a little different. We bring hive boxes for the children to explore, and what they discover inside depends on what can safely be pulled from the hive at that particular time. The health and safety of the bees always comes first. We never remove something from a hive simply for demonstration if doing so could harm the colony.

🐝 Hands-On Learning

Bee School™ is much more than sitting and listening to a lesson.

We use interactive, cooperative games and hands-on learning stations designed to engage different learning styles and keep children actively involved.

Activities may include:

  • Exploring real hive boxes and frames

  • Learning to use real beekeeping tools

  • Learning about pollination

  • Discovering herbs and plants that bees love

  • Learning the honeybee life cycle

  • Exploring what it is like to be a beekeeper for a day

  • Interactive games that engage multiple senses

  • Creating a take-home craft

Our crafts vary and may include healing herbal salves, lip balms, beeswax candles, and other hands-on projects. Whenever possible, we use materials grown, produced, or sourced from our own farm or locally foraged.

Everyone leaves with something they created!

🌻 Learning Stations for Different Ages & Learning Styles

We understand that not every child learns the same way.

Bee School™ has various activities and learning stations throughout the school so children can move around, explore, and learn at their own pace. Laminated educational posters and activities are available so that children can get up and explore additional information whenever they are ready.

Some children can sit and listen for longer periods, while others learn best by moving, touching, creating, and doing. We do our best to incorporate different types of learning so that children of different ages and abilities can participate.

Mixed-age groups are especially welcome. Older children are encouraged to help and guide younger children, creating a cooperative learning environment where everyone has something to contribute.

And yes — parents and grandparents often learn just as much as the children!

❤️ Bee School™ Is NOT a Drop-Off Program

Parents and guardians are required to remain with their children throughout Bee School™.

Your involvement matters.

Parents are responsible for supervising their children and helping them get the most out of the experience. We ask parents to actively participate, pay attention, and encourage their children rather than carrying on separate conversations during instruction.

Please help your child remain engaged and avoid talking to or distracting other children during class.

Your enthusiasm matters! When children see their parents excited about learning, they become more excited and engaged themselves.

We also encourage parents to participate in the activities and learn alongside their children. The more you learn, the more you can continue the conversation at home after Bee School™.

⏰ 90 Minutes of Hands-On Learning

Bee School™ is approximately 90 minutes long and includes a take-home craft.

Because activities and learning opportunities are adapted to the group, each class can be a little different. Our goal is to make sure children have opportunities to learn, explore, create, and have fun while developing a greater understanding and appreciation for honeybees and the natural world.

🌧️ Rain or Shine

Bee School™ is a rain-or-shine program.

We have a full indoor facility available, allowing us to continue our program even when the weather prevents us from spending time outside. Activities may be adjusted according to weather conditions.

🎒 What to Bring

Parents should bring:

  • A chair for yourself

  • A blanket or towel for your child/children to sit on

  • Water and appropriate snacks or lunch

  • Your Bee School™ activity book

  • Weather-appropriate clothing

Please avoid sugary meals and drinks immediately before Bee School™.

🌻 Is Bee School™ Right for Your Family?

We recognize that Bee School™ may not be the right fit for every child or every family.

Our program is designed to accommodate mixed ages and different learning styles, and we make every effort to provide activities that engage children at different developmental levels.

Younger children may not retain as much information as an older child — and that's okay! Parents can make an enormous difference by participating, learning the material themselves, and continuing the lessons at home.

Bee School™ is an experience to share, not simply a class to drop your child off at.

🐝 Over 14 Years of Bee School™

Bee School™ has been a successful educational program on the East Coast for over 14 years, and we are excited to continue bringing hands-on honeybee education to our community.

We can't wait to put your children in a bee suit, hand them a hive tool, and introduce them to the incredible world inside a honeybee hive!

🐝 Come learn. Come explore. Come get your hands dirty.

If you have questions or would like to book your own private Bee School™, please contact us at:

getqueenbee@gmail.com

****By purchasing a ticket you are understanding that our policy has no refunds for rescheduling due to our company or the host. You are however able to make up bee school at any location for up to a full year afterwards.

Tickets are for children ONLY!!!!!

EXACT LOCATION WILL BE EMAILED WHEN CLASSES ARE FULL!!!!

If You have any questions about our terms or conditions, Please email us BEFORE you purchase a ticket. 

🐝 BEE SCHOOL IS A RAIN OR SHINE PROGRAM! 🌧️☀️

We want to clarify our policy regarding weather, attendance, and ticket transfers at Queen Bee’s Farmacy at Mellifera Estates Bee School.

🌧️ RAIN DOES NOT CANCEL BEE SCHOOL.

We have a full indoor facility where we can safely conduct Bee School activities when the weather does not allow us to be outside. Our program is designed to operate rain or shine, and we will adjust activities as needed based on the weather.

Your child does not need to spend the entire class outside in the rain.

🎟️ PLEASE CHOOSE YOUR DATE CAREFULLY

Bee School classes are intentionally kept small, and every ticket reserves a specific space for your child on a specific date and time. We prepare instructors, supplies, activities, and the farm specifically based on our registered students.

Because of this, please make sure you are able to attend the date and time you select when purchasing your ticket.

❗ PERSONAL CONFLICTS & WEATHER

Please understand that the following are not valid reasons for a ticket makeup or automatic transfer to another Bee School date:

🌧️ Rain or unfavorable weather when Bee School is still operating
📅 A personal schedule conflict
🏃 A change in your family's plans
🚗 Transportation or scheduling difficulties
🎟️ Simply deciding that another class date works better

If Bee School is being held as scheduled, choosing not to attend is considered an absence, and the ticket will not automatically be moved to another class.

Rain is not a reason for a makeup, and neither is your own schedule conflict.

We understand that circumstances sometimes change. However, when you purchase a ticket, that specific space is reserved for your child. Moving tickets after registration can leave an empty seat that we may no longer have an opportunity to fill.

📌 OUR POLICY

  • Tickets are non-refundable.

  • Rain does not cancel Bee School.

  • Weather-related absences are not eligible for a makeup when Bee School is operating as scheduled.

  • Personal schedule conflicts are not a guaranteed reason for a makeup or transfer.

  • No-shows are not eligible for automatic transfers.

  • Date or time changes are not guaranteed and can only be considered when another opening is available.

  • Genuine illness or an unexpected emergency may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on availability.

We are a small farm-based educational program, and every registration matters. We prepare staffing, supplies, activities, and the farm based on the number of children registered for each class.

We appreciate your understanding and respect for this policy. It allows us to continue offering small, hands-on, high-quality Bee School classes to our community. 🐝💛

Rain or shine, we will be here ready to teach!

Thank you for supporting Queen Bee’s Farmacy at Mellifera Estates Bee School. 🌻🐝

This program is Produced by our Non Profit The Honey Bee Project Inc. 501c3




Get Tickets to Upcoming Bee Schools

  • Tiffany, CT

    Bee School was everything I had hoped for. Elizabeth truly delivered an experience for the children and parents. Although, the live bee’s couldn't make it, do to unforeseen circumstances, Elizabeth was kind enough to offer a discount for the next bee school event. The children really enjoyed trying on the bee keeper suits and making their hands on project. She did extra and didn’t even have to by providing a tie dye kit and with that I created a tie dye station for the children. I was also taken by surprise that she brought a surprise guest speaker and he educate everyone on herbal medicine. Based on my experience she did an amazing job and so did her guest speaker. I wouldn’t mind to host another event in the near future. Thank You for everything!

  • Olga, NJ

    My children (ages 12yrs old, 5yrs/5yrs old) had the best time at Bee school over the summer. It's very hard to find homeschooling opportunities that are educational and engaging for my children due to their big age gap. Well, Bee school did not disappoint! My son had an awesome time and was engaged throughout the entire day, where he often feels bored if the activities are geared more towards a younger crowd. My 5yr old twins also were very much engaged and loved the hands-on opportunity from trying on bee suits, taking apart the hive box with frames and handling various tools that are used in the process. The kids observed the worker bees and the queen bee, and learned about the bees' behaviour and roles. All three of my kids enjoyed learning about the healing properties of the bee derived products such as honey, pollen and wax and making their own herbal salves and of course tasting the delicious honey.

    Elizabeth is very knowledgeable and is able to share the love she has for bee keeping with the children in a way that is easy for them to understand and answer any questions they may have in a very straightforward manner.

    We are looking forward to another session of bee school this year as my children only have the most fond memories from the experience they had last summer.

  • Trista, NY

    My son has also loved insects, and as a science teacher I was so excited to nurture that love by surprising him with a ticket to Bee School. Elizabeth did such a great job of teaching the children (and adults) about bees and all of the amazing things they do for us. My son loved safely meeting some bees, getting to put on a beekeeping suit, and making an herbal salve from beeswax - he asks for it every time he has a boo boo! Elizabeth’s love and respect for bees really comes through in all she does and we’re so glad we got a chance to connect with her.

  • Stephanie E, CT

    We love Bee School with Elizabeth! This program is really amazing because it is engaging for the whole family. Children of all ages get to learn the basics about bees and bee keeping, but for those who know more, there are endless opportunities to ask questions and go even further. It is an interactive class that gives kids the opportunity to get close up with real bees and even simulate the work of a beekeeper in a real outfit! In the second half of the class, kid make a honey wax based product infused with botanical and get to design their own label. It is definitely a class your kids won't forget. Elizabeth was also very flexible with the large group, breaking them up into two smaller sessions and making sure that all of the kids had the opportunity to do everything. We can't wait to do Bee School again next summer!

  • Melissa, NJ

    Elizabeth came to our homeschool co-op and led a group of 17 children ages 3-11 in Bee School. All of the children were engaged and asked questions about the bees. Elizabeth was kind & patient with all the children and the parents. She taught everyone about bees and their importance in the world. They liked seeing, touching and tasting the honeycomb. They loved trying on the beekeeper suit & really enjoyed the hands-on portion where they made their own salves using beeswax and other herbs. I would highly recommend Elizabeth & Bee School to enrich any curriculum or experience.

  • Sophy, NY

    Mom of two kids (8 and 6 at the time)

    My kids had such a wonderful time at Bee School! They learned so much and enjoyed the interaction; from actually wearing the bee suits, to making their own salve from beeswax and other locally foraged ingredients. The whole day was lovely. We drove over an hour to get there and it was well worth it! We can't wait to do it again. I would recommend this class to anyone who homeschools, or just wants to enrich their child's life with learning about bees in a safe environment that's also fun.

    Shout out to Elizabeth, as well, for keeping great order, during the fun filled day.

Find Dates/Locations/Tickets for Upcoming Bee Schools
Two children and a woman in beekeeping suits with veiled helmets, educating two young girls about bees outdoors near a tent.
A woman holding a green insect containment box with caterpillars inside, showing children and adults gathered outdoors for an educational demonstration about caterpillars.
A table outdoors with various jars and containers filled with colorful substances and drawings, likely an art project or activity, with a black box and a person in the background.
A woman with long blonde hair wearing a large straw hat and black tank top is standing next to two young girls at an outdoor event table. One girl with long hair is sitting with arms crossed on the table, and the other girl with a ponytail is standin
Young boy leaning forward and observing a beehive display case at a community event, with several people looking on in the background.
A woman pours yellow liquid into small jar lids containing colorful flower petals and herbs, with a young boy observing. Several jars with similar contents are on trays on a table outdoors.
Children and a woman gather around a small animal enclosure at an outdoor event under a canopy tent. The children look excited and curious.
Children having a picnic outdoors with adults, seated on blankets and sitting on chairs, surrounded by trees and a wooden fence.
Children gathered around a table outdoors, engaging in a science activity with jars of herbs, powders, and liquids, supervised by an adult woman.