Beekeeper for a day
Would you like to experience something different in nature? Dare to become a beekeeper for a day. I will accompany you on a journey into the heart of a beehive so you can see up close how bees organize themselves.
A unique experience that will help you better understand why bees are essential for humans. You will discover their complex social structure and learn how bees help sustain life. After putting on the special beekeeping suit, we will surround ourselves with hundreds of bees. You will be able to look, touch, and listen to the bees, and I’ll explain how to interpret their behavior.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
For two hours, we will visit a centuries-old oak forest protected by the Quercus Sonora association, where the exploration hives are located. After choosing the right suit size, we’ll start with a theoretical introduction to understand what we’ll encounter in the hives: anatomy, development stages, different castes, the waggle dance, and how bees interact with other living beings in the forest. Finally, we’ll dive into the interior of a hive with beekeeping tools in hand, where we’ll pick up bee frames to observe them closely and, with some luck, spot the queen. After our encounter with the bees, we’ll have a tasting of two types of honey and other hive-related products.
The activity takes place from May to August, adapting to the bees’ natural rhythm. You can check available dates on the calendar. The reservation is only valid for the selected date and time, and the price is €25.
Interested in bringing a group of schoolchildren?
In this activity for schools, we combine the world of bees with the ecosystem they live in and raise awareness about environmental protection. The goal is to understand how different forest species interact with the bees and how they affect our lives. We adapt the content to various ages using a participatory and hands-on methodology in the forest, ending with a journey inside a hive. This activity is ideal for primary school students.
If you’d like to know more, email us at oespiritodacolmea@gmail.com and we’ll send you the activity sheet with all the details. You can also find more information about past visits on the colmena (hive) blog.
Useful Information
Recommendations:
- This activity is not suitable for people with reduced mobility, children under 5, or individuals allergic to bees.
- The visit includes a beekeeper suit, which must be returned at the end of the activity. We recommend wearing shoes that cover the ankle. Do not use perfumes or aerosols before the visit.
- Long hair should be tied back to avoid discomfort when putting on the protective mask.
- In July and August, the activity will start at 10:00 AM due to summer temperatures. Beekeeping suits can get warm—please bring water to stay hydrated before and after the visit.
- For safety reasons, pets are not allowed near the hives but may take part in the rest of the activity. When we enter the hives, you’ll be asked to tie your pets in the forest area, where they’ll remain until we exit.
- Please try to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the experience. Upon arrival, you’ll be asked to sign a liability waiver. You will be surrounded by live bees and there is a possibility of stings.
Cancellations
- Cancellations made within 48 hours of the reserved date will result in a full loss of the payment.
- The activity is subject to changes or cancellations depending on the weather forecast. In such cases, alternative dates will be proposed the day before. If rescheduling is not possible, you’ll receive a full refund.