Class Trip to the Bee Hives

Twice a year my workplace closes to the public and holds a day of training, learning, food and fun, also known as SSL Staff Day. During that time, we have breakfast, meet together to learn something new or train on new equipment; have lunch; share our knowledge with workshops or other training; have a snack; have a department meeting and call it a day. We are famous for our eating!

BCC Library Staff in the meadow

This August 21st, the afternoon fun was a trip to the BCC bee hives with me. I offered this idea up, sort of as a joke, because so many of my co-workers are afraid of bees and just as many are very curious about the entire process. The boss took me up on the offer so we met at the bee hives after lunch. it was a lovely summer afternoon and a nice time of day to be outside so most people didn't mind taking a short walk. Plus, the boss said attendance at the hives was mandatory, so they all came. I had hope to be joined by the actual owner of the hives, but he was not available. I did ask his permission to go into the hives.

I opened a hive and pulled out frames which were empty of honey,nectar or brood because they had been extracted not too long ago.

frame with eggs,brood, bees & honey

empty frame

I got to show them what actual honey comb looks like and explain that the bees determined that shape by themselves and that is the shape they like to function in. I answered questions and got to tell the story of helping my father with his hives which led to more questions.









 Even the College's public relations guy, Larry, came and took pictures!

Sharing my new hobby made me realized how many of my childhood stories revolve around the bees (future blog posts formulating!)  and what an interesting childhood I had and helps explain why I have a connection to nature that many other people don't have.