Bee Bootcamp: Beekeeping Basics for Veterans
Registration now open to veterans* and military
2021 Class offered at
Harrisburg and Wapwallopen (Luzerne Co).
Taking names for waiting list at Moon (Luzerne).
Hosted in partnership with the PA State Beekeepers Association
Apply to Heroes to Hives 2022 from Michigan State University. FREE video-based, college level hive management course for veterans and dependents. The curriculum mirrors the live classes Bee Bootcamp participants will take part in. Note: There is a hold on applications to Heroes to Hives as of 12 Feb 2021 due to the large number of applicants. Please contact us via if you've attempted to and been unable to register as a pre-requisite to applying for Bee Bootcamp.
Step Two: Apply to the Bee Bootcamp class location near you. FREE to eligible veterans/military.
Questions? Email our Coordinator
Bee Bootcamp Schedule 2021
1 day per month TBD; 3-4 hours per class, April-October, 2021
Choose 1 of 3 class locations: Moon Township (Allegheny), Harrisburg, or Wapwallopen (Luzerne Co).
Be prepared to provide DD-214 or other proof of service upon request. Closed toed shoes must be worn, and you must confirm that you have no known bee sting allergy.
Draft Schedule (subject to change)
April/May Nuc Installation
May Hive Handling and Inspection Workshop at Forever Heart Apiaries LLC.
June Hive Inspection, Supering, and Swarm Management Workshop
July Varroa Mite Monitoring & Management, the Nectar Dearth, and How to Recognize and Stopping Robbing.
August Hive Splits and Fall Management Workshop: This workshop will cover fall management or hives and late season splits.
September Honey Harvest, Combining Colonies, and Winter Preparation Workshop. Depending on the honey harvest, a honey extraction workshop will be scheduled.
October Overwintering Workshop
*A veteran is one who served in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard, including the reserve components thereof, and was released from the service under conditions other than dishonorable. Active duty, and current Guard and Reserve members are also eligible for Bee Bootcamp.
We gratefully acknowledge the Pennsylvania Veterans Trust Fund and PA State Beekeepers Association for their support of 2021 Bee Bootcamp.
Heroes to Hives mission is “Safeguarding US food security by protecting the most important managed pollinator on the planet.”
“Beekeeping affords us the opportunity to really kind of engage in a different way with the natural world. You’re not thinking about what happened in Afghanistan or Iraq. You’re thinking about what’s happening right here, right now.” -- Adam Ingrao, director of Heroes to Hives and a fourth-generation soldier.
Rob Mowery (USNR), Forever Heart Apiary LLC;, Steve Repasky and Bob Tatro (ANG), PA Beekeepers Association; Michael Brooker (USMC), Bee Bootcamp Coordinator
