Now Scheduling For Summer 2021!

Since 2016, our summer educational programs have been host to over 4,500 participants! Explore The Honey Bee’s unique K-12 pollinator focus has been hailed as a leader in environmental learning more than 75 times in local and national publications, radio and television news outlets. This is no beekeeping class. Our program is a fun, scientific, hands-on experience that engages students and introduces them to the benefits of pollinators with a focus on the honey bee.

Important Connections

The overall mission of our program is to open the minds of our students with an interactive learning experience that brings them outdoors and connects them with the natural environment and how pollinators contribute to where our food comes from. We use the interaction and involvement of the students to help make their learning impactful. We truly bring the FUN to each learning experience!

Fun, Hands-On & Educational

Our pollinator education experience- “Explore the Honey Bee” – offers each “Adventurer,” no matter what his or her age, a genuinely unique learning experience. Students will find themselves on their feet, active, and utterly immersed in learning without even knowing it! We feel that when movement and laughter are integrated into learning, the experience becomes a long-lasting source of knowledge and understanding.

What’s it like?
– Customized activities for any age group
– Explore a sealed observation hive with live bees inside (safe for all ages)
– Discover how neat and helpful honey bees are to us
– Learn about the life-cycle of the honey bee
– Investigate how honey bees work together and communicate to keep their hive strong
– Tour the developing prairie and learn about the plants honey bees like to pollinate (on-site programs only)
– Learn about what can be done at home to help honey bees and pollinators
– Taste natural honey
– Includes a take-home packet with fun educational activities

Each class lasts approximately 90 minutes and has been designed by our on-staff educator Megan Ryan, who has her Master’s Degree in Education and a passion for pollinators. Our small class size (less than 25 students) with two educators leading each class, allows every student to have an intimate, fun and meaningful learning experience.

Upcoming ‘Explore The Honey Bee‘ Events : Open To The Public

^ All participants must RSVP by clicking on the appropriate date above & registering online. ^

Group Event Details

If you are registering 15 or more students, we can offer a private session specially catered to your group! Please give us a call for more information (260) 609-2897 or click here to visit our Group Bookings Information Page.

Testimonials From Our Program

The “Explore the Honey Bee” program was a wonderful and highly interactive experience for our students to explore beekeeper tools and all things bee related in a scientific way. It left our students even more excited and eager about bees. CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder) was of particular interest for our students as it was a topic we had not learned about prior to Southwest Honey Co.’s visit. In other words, our students LOVED having Southwest Honey Co. come!
– Brittini Whetstone (Chamberlain Elementary, 2nd Grade Teacher)

I feel that the ‘stations/centers’ that the kids rotated through really helped them to learn about the honey bee and beekeeping; it definitely added to their understanding of the honey bee, especially since we have the observation hive here at the Conservatory. As an educator, my favorite part was the “hands-on” activities. I am definitely interested in scheduling another program next summer.
– Missy A’Hearn (Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory)

We had a great experience with both Megan and her program. The Mini 4-Hers really enjoyed it.  Megan was very well organized and worked well with our K-2nd graders. They learned a lot.
– Tonya Schlabach (Dekalb County 4-H)

Our summer camp students really enjoyed the trip. They enjoyed the bee dance, honey, and wearing the beekeeper’s suit. The feedback from parents was extremely positive. Good job!
– Cher Champion (Little Praisers Preschool & Child Care)

Our experience on our trip was fantastic! The kids learned so much and had a great time while learning! There was plenty for them to do and learn about and it was entertaining. If I had a new class every year, I would definitely book this trip again! Thank you so much for allowing us to come and learn about bees. We all had a great time!
– Autumn Lehman (Mt. Calvary- Teacher)

We really enjoyed bee school! Thank you so much for your kindness, patience, and enthusiasm. We had a lot of fun and learned so many new things that have been part of our conversations since. We are more aware and appreciative of all that a bee does, truly a reflections of God’s wonderful creation. Thank you for providing us with a private and personal lesson! It was lovely getting to know you a bit. You’re a gem!
– Allison, Montana, Hope, Tom & Sharon Staak

Have Questions or Comments? Send Us A Message!