Kids Bees Workshop :: Our event recap with Bee Public
Truth be told, we could have BEEn a little more excited about Sunday's Kids Bees Workshop with Bee Public. But my 8yo Emerson was worried. I don't like bees. They scare me. They sting. They're so noisy. Why are they good for the earth?
So yeah, as we pulled into The Hatch {aka CityMoms HQ!}, Em was a bit of a wreck. And it's exactly why we were there.
theCityMoms had arranged a special Kids Bees Workshop with Bee Public, a local organization dedicated to well, bee education in the greater Indianapolis area. Here's why we're chatting it up on theCityMoms blog today:
A recap like this might provide an idea for your own organization to enjoy together {hello Girl Scout troops! Schools!},
It's a way to highlight a possibly new-to-you community organization we love that's doing great things in Indy, and
It helps prospective members of theCityMoms learn a little more about what theCityMoms enjoy doing as as group.
Who is Bee Public?
You've likely seen Bee Public's presence around the city. From their community gardens in partnership with the Patachou Foundation, to owner Kate Franzman's sweet face gracing pollinator-related headlines, Bee Public is most certainly a public figure in Indy-related bee advocacy.Their mission states "Bee Public is making Indianapolis a more bee-friendly city through responsible beekeeping practices, education, and community outreach."
What did our Kids Bees Workshop include?
First, owner Kate spent the first 15 minutes in full education mode. DYK there are over 4,000 different species of bees? That a hive can contain up to 30,000 of them inside? And that bees are vital for food supply growth? I.e. what would happen if there weren't bees in the world?Kate passed around a large stuffed bee for further inspection of its body and wings. We learned the various types of bees and talked about hive roles {big surprise - the girl bees do all the work!}.
We discussed how bees are able to communicate where food is located to each other through special dances - kids loved the opportunity to get up and show off their own dance moves. "How many of you have a garden at home?" asked Kate. As hands went up, she explained the process of pollination and how bees are integral to successful gardens and growth.
HERE'S ANOTHER GREAT EVENT IDEA FOR YOU: There's a Sky Farm at Eskenazi Health!
Then she presented the various supplies needed for successful beekeeping. The kids were fascinated by her beekeeper suit and smoker, but even moreso by their application. Kate shared that the smoke 'scares' bees into believing their hive is on fire. They rush inside the begin eating the honey and then get sleepy - thus allowing beekeepers a small window to come in and retrieve honey or care for the hive.
By now, it was time to put our busy bees to work with crafts. Kids created their own antennas to wear home and worked on their own bee creations.
In all, the hour was wonderfully spent educating kids on the importance of bees and arming me with answers to help ease my uneasy kiddos' bee fright... Emerson bit into some strawberries on the way home, then piped from the backseat "Did bees help make this strawberry mom?" I smiled in response. "Cool. That's cool." she replied.
MORE INFO: Additional details on Bee Public can be found on their website. Owner and lead beekeeper Kate Franzman manages the farm and educational programming at Public Greens: Urban Kitchens with a Mission, and is available for public speaking at schools, organizations and corporations around the Indianapolis area. Email beepublicproject@gmail.com to arrange your Kids Bees Workshop or discuss a speaking opportunity.
Special thanks to select Midtown Mamaroo parents who joined us for this workshop - it was wonderful to meet you!
