N0H 1B0 Annan

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Welcome to
Bees On The Bay

About us

From a beekeeper's visit to my Kindergarten classroom in 2013 which sparked my fascination with honey bees, to installing my first hive in 2024, my beekeeping journey has been one of passion, patience, and purpose.

"Bees On The Bay", a dream turned reality, sits nestled among the trees, overlooking the stunning blue waters of Georgian Bay.

Now in my third year of beekeeping, I am expanding my local network of hives to bring greater diversity to our honey production, while also launching an in-class learning program for young students in Grey-Bruce County - helping inspire a new generation of beekeepers...because every great beekeeper starts with a moment of wonder!

Itty-Bitty Beekeepers!

Drawing on over 20 years of experience teaching Kindergarten, and elementary students, I offer an engaging, in-class, hands-on learning experience entitled, "Itty-Bitty Beekeepers" — bringing the world of bees to life for young learners.

MORE DETAILS BELOW!

learn more

WORKSHOP
basics

IN-CLASS / IN-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS for Kindergarten to grade 3 students in GREY-BRUCE COUNTY!

ONE HOUR WORKSHOPS (+15 min either side for set-up/tear down) for groups of up to 30 students:

$195/hour

Additional ONE HOUR WORKSHOPS available (if on the same day) for up to 30 students:

WORKSHOP TIME SLOTS: Preferably LATER morning and/or EARLY afternoon to accommodate live bee viability

AVAILABILITY for 2026:

AVAILABILITY for 2027:
*live bees are "seasonally unavailable" for April and early-mid May workshops.

Workshops can be tailored to suit your school's specific situation or timing, so just ask!

workshop structure

Students will enjoy an engaging visual presentation with a queen-spotting challenge and some fun music and movement interspersed throughout!

Following this, students will move to free-flow centres to sample some "Bees On The Bay" honey (supervised), try on "Itty-bitty" bee suits and, when available, observe live bees in a safe, "peek-a-bee" box!

ALL students will receive a COLOURING PAGE and an Itty-Bitty Beekeeper STICKER to take home!

Extend your workshop with "ADD-ON" learning centres to allow for deeper learning & longer engagement!
Possible "ADD-ON" centres:
- BEE CRAFT (pictured below)
- WRITING activity
- 2-D shape/patterning MATH activity

$15 per "add-on" per hour

**If a craft activity is added-on, the presentation will be adjusted to accomodate for the extra time

what will students discover?

Along with the personal and up close experience of seeing live bees, tasting honey and trying on "Itty-Bitty" bee suits, students will learn about:

The life cycle of the honeybee

A honeybee's anatomy

How honey bees make honey!
Are hornets and wasps the same as honey bees?

The differences between queen, drone and worker bees, and how each has a role that influences the success of a hive!

What is pollination, and why is it important?

How bees and other pollinators are keystone species in our ecosystems and how we can help them!

Why honey has different colours and tastes

The fine print:

It is helpful for classroom teachers to have tables available for use, in order to run learning centres and activities as designed.
A larger, "carpet" area is also advisable so students can gather for the group presentation.
When booking, it will also be discussed if there is a usable data projector in the presentation area.
Extra "hands" will be required for the honey and craft learning centres (i.e., teachers, EA's, parents)
If there are any children in your group with known allergies to honey, we will discuss measures to have him/her abstain from this particular activity.
If a child has a known bee allergy (i.e., registered with the school office and Epi-Pen on site), we will discuss the potential necessity of excluding the "peek-a-bee" box from the workshop.
Alternative locations are a possibility (i.e., library) if you wish to combine classes
Live bees are an exciting addition to the workshop, but, if a frame of live bees cannot be secured due to seasonal availability, we will advise ahead of time as this could impact your choice of workshop date.

Curriculum connections!

The following are examples of potential, K-3 specific expectations that "Itty-Bitty Beekeepers" may cover!

Kindergarten (2026 curriculum):

B13.1: Ask questions about and describe some natural occurrences
B12.2: Make predictions and observations while exploring, investigating, and designing
B13.3: Compare patterns in natural and built environments
D23.3: Describe ways in which they care for and respect the environment
A9.1 Identify, sort, and compare the most common 2-D shapes, including circle, HEXAGON, rhombus, and trapezoid

Grade 1:

B2.1: Demonstrate an understanding of the natural environment as a place where living and non-living things are interconnected
B2.3: Identify the physical characteristics of various plants and animals, including humans, and explain how these characteristics help the plants and animals meet their basic needs
B2.6 :Describe ways in which living things provide for the needs of other living things

Grade 2:

B2.3: Describe the life cycle of a variety of animals, including insects, amphibians, birds and mammals
B2.4: Compare changes in the appearance and behaviour of various animals as they go through a complete life cycle
B1.2: Assess impacts of various human activities on animals and the places where they live, and describe practices that can minimize negative impacts
E1.1: Sort and identify 2-D shapes by comparing number of sides, side lengths, angles, and number of lines of symmetry

Grade 3:

A1.5: Communicate their findings, using science and technology vocabulary and formats that are appropriate for specific audiences and purposes
B1.1: Assess ways in which plants are important to humans and other living things, taking different perspectives into consideration, and identify ways in which humans can protect native plant species and their habitats
B1.3: Assess the benefits and limitations of locally grown food
B2.8: Describe ways in which plants and animals, including humans, depend on each other