should juniors be allowed to keep bees?

[georgia b]

I have just read the propositions -sent out by the BBKA- for next years ADM, and I was rather interested in the change of membership for juniors. I was wondering what other beekeepers, especially other juniors, views on it were?

Georgia

 

[dpearce4]

Many primary schools keep bees with no problems, and there is also a topic in the KS2 curriculum about bees and bee hives.

I think this is a fantastic thing and should be encouraged as much as possible. The BBKA also produce lesson plans to help with this.

It is wonderful in this sanitised world that there are some that are allowed to do this.

 

[For want of a better word]

Anyone can keep bees.....juniors welcome !

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

should juniors be allowed to keep bees?

And why not? a bit of supervision to start with and encouragement and they'll probably do a much better job than some 'seniors' around

 

[Outlander]

I think if a young person has an interest in this hobby it should be encouraged under supervision. When they are competent to go it alone with in reason then so be it.

 

[DontWorryBeeHappy]

The young are often less fearful than adults and often more open to education.

Young brains are like sponges.

When the current generation of "mature" beekeepers have gone who will take over?

Encourage and educate. The young are the future and we should nurture and support them in any way we can.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Wish I'd have been given a hive of bees when I first took an interest (I think I was 9 or 10) but my grandfather had given up his bees a few years previously and didn't want to re-start)

 

[eleanor20]

My father gave me my own hive when I was still in primary school, he obviously helped with advice when needed, and lifting of full supers..... Of course that has not been a problem this year!

 

[ellypatt]

My 8yo likes to help. We gave a talk to his year group together. lots of the kids at school ask us about the bees now. So, yes - with appropriate supervision.

 

[dpearce4]

I get asked by pupils all the time about mine at my school. My bosses are nervous of being sued if pupils get stung if i were to bring them in. and caretaker has phobia about bees.

 

[richardbees]

Presumably it'll be under supervision so why not?

More customers for Sherriffs et al....then maybe they can replace a zip-on hood for less than £42

 

[REDWOOD]

Parents consent I cant see a problem, perhaps we can get some of that EU funding for the young ones, invest in the future

 

[Karol]

I think it's a great idea. Besides which, youngsters are (generally) much more resilient to hymenoptera stings than adults and it's got to be better than being wrapped in cotton wool and getting RSI.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Seems to be a general consensus that it's a good idea, but...........




............. should juniors be exposed to the dangers of the Forum?



Dusty.

 

[MuswellMetro]

I started beekeping at school at 7 years old, it has never left me, though i have big gaps caused by ,university , children, getting married ( in that order LOL), mortgage and unemployementy)

 

[Karol]

Seems to be a general consensus that it's a good idea, but...........




............. should juniors be exposed to the dangers of the Forum?



Dusty.

I very much doubt that this forum remotely compares with the 'dangers' of the internet and every day social media!

Besides, we might be some cogent arguments out of them - LOL!

 

[Norton]

I tried to join a beekeeping association when I was 12 - I was told to "Bugger OFF!". So, I started on my own. This was in southern-central Africa.

 

[madasafish]

No beekeepers should be allowed under the age of 65.

 

[isc26]

My three 12,10,7 are all interested and much better at spotting a queen than I am and very useful extra hands when collecting a swarm.

 

[masterBK]

Passed my BBKA preliminary (now called basic) exam at 11yrs, took 90lbs of honey from my WBC hive a year later and also won several classes at local honeyshow resulting in an addiction to beekeeping for the rest of my life. This year a Yorkshire lass of 7 yrs passed her Basic exam. So yes, start them young and maybe they will stay beekeepers for far longer than the 3 year churn rate found in many associations