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• Beginner Beekeeper School

  • Start
    January 27, 2026
  •  
  • End
    March 24, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    9 sessions
  • Location
    4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610

  Registration is closed

  Our 2026 class is full.  Additional classes are offered through Johnston Community College at their Clayton/Cleveland Campus starting in April.  Check https://www.johnstoncc.edu/programs/personal-enrichment.php for details.

  WCBA Class Schedule:

  January 27: Welcome, Bee Basics
  February 3: Laurel Hills Park Community Center, 3808 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh (Bee Anatomy)
  Feb 10: Wake County Commons (Bee Races and Club Meeting)
  Feb 17: Wake County Commons (Frame Building)
  Feb 24: Wake County Commons (Colony Management and Foraging/Pollination)
  March 3: Laurel Hills Park Community Center (Varroa Management)
  March 10: Laurel Hills Park Community CenterMarch 17: Wake County Commons (Products of the Hive and Club Meeting) 
  March 24: Wake County Commons (History of Beekeeping)

  What's Included:

  • A comprehensive handbook of lecture notes to accompany class presentations.
  • 2026 Wake County Beekeeper's Association membership

  What's NOT included:
  

  • Please purchase a copy of THE BEEKEEPER'S HANDBOOK by DIANE SAMMATARO to accompany class lectures.
    
    
  • Membership in the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association.  Membership in the NCSBA is required to test for Certified Beekeeper.  Testing and participation in certification is voluntary. (See NCSBA website for complete info on the benefits of certification).

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• Hands on the Hive w/ Mr. Buzz

  • When
    March 22, 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Historic Oakview County Park, 4028 Carya Drive Raleigh NC 27610

  Register

  Bring your veil and smoker! Grab a friend and come play with some bees!! 
  

  WHAT: Watch and participate as Mr. Buzz Ben Crawley inspects real colonies of bees. Questions from the crowd are encouraged!

  

  WHERE: The hives are located near the cotton field at Historic Oak View

  WHEN: This event usually takes place on the 3rd Sunday from March-September. The event is weather dependent and may be moved for other conflicts. 

  The practical exam for the NCSBA Certified Beekeeper program are also given at each Hands on the Hive event, no appointment necessary. Please make sure the instructor knows you are there to take the test at the beginning of the meeting. For the practical part you must bring your own equipment including a smoker, veil, and suit.  
   The form with the criteria for the practical exam can be found on the state website.

  
  

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• Swarm Team Kickoff

  • When
    March 22, 2026
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Cary Bark Bar 302 S Walker St, Cary, NC 27511

  Swarm Team Captains and Members will gather to kick off swarm season.  We will discuss notifications, response, and expectations.  Meet your captains and get to know other swarm team members.

  In person meeting and social begins at 430pm, weather permitting.

  A zoom link will be sent to team members if you cannot attend in person.  The zoom meeting starts at 4pm

  This event is open to all registered swarm team members.  No registration needed.

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• April Club Meeting

  • When
    April 14, 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Wake County Commons 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh

  Register

  6:30 PM: Bee Stuff Sale (tools, woodenware honeybee products)
  

  The Wake County BeeKeeper's Association is hosting a Bee Stuff Sale.

  A few guidelines:

  If you plan to sell - be at Parking Lot by 6:15, to set up.  The parking lot will be marked for the Sale and look for volunteers to answer any questions.  Also, any items not sold during sale must be taken back by the owner or can be donated for club use.

  SELLERS:  You can pre-list your sale items on this spreadsheet to help potential buyers know what you have in advance.  OPEN SPREADSHEET

  You can also post your items on the Wake County Facebook page.

  If you plan to buy - the event starts at 6:30. Please bring cash. You don't have to be a member to buy!

  BUYERS: You can view items listed by sellers in a spreadsheet.  There may be additional items available on the date of the sale not listed, so be sure to arrive in time to buy.  OPEN SPREADSHEET

  Reach out to Lee Clark-Sellers with any questions. klclark@nc.rr.com or 919 637 2109

  7pm Workshop: 

  Heat Stress/Bee Sting with Stacie Hagwood.

   Stacie Hagwood is a retired nature park manager for the City of Raleigh.  She was a certified EMT and First Aid/CPR Instructor for the Raleigh Police Department in the 1990's.  She is a Certified Beekeeper and assists her husband, Chris Hagwood (WCBA Past President) with his many hives, when he can tear her away from her garden. She is a lifelong Spanish learner and avid traveler to Latin American countries.

  
  

  7:30pm Topic:  Evaluating Pollinator Habitat Plantings at NCDA&CS Research Stations to Support Native Bees

  Speaker:  Hannah Levenson 

  

  Hannah is a Research Scholar and principal investigator of the Specialty Crops Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management Laboratory at NC State University. Hannah's research focuses on developing IPPM solutions in human modified landscapes, with a particular focus on sustainable management of the invasive fruit fly, spotted wing drosophila, in specialty crops. Hannah is also a bee expert with experience researching both native bees and honey bees in US and international settings.
  

  
  

  
  

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• Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz

  • When
    April 19, 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Historic Oakview County Park 4028 Carya Dr, Raleigh

  Register

  Bring your veil and smoker! Grab a friend and come play with some bees!! 
  

  WHAT: Watch and participate as Mr. Buzz Ben Crawley inspects real colonies of bees. Questions from the crowd are encouraged!

  

  WHERE: The hives are located near the cotton field at Historic Oak View

  WHEN: This event usually takes place on the 3rd Sunday from March-September. The event is weather dependent and may be moved for other conflicts. 

  The practical exam for the NCSBA Certified Beekeeper program are also given at each Hands on the Hive event, no appointment necessary. Please make sure the instructor knows you are there to take the test at the beginning of the meeting. For the practical part you must bring your own equipment including a smoker, veil, and suit.  
   The form with the criteria for the practical exam can be found on the state website.

  
  

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• Spring Cookout

  • When
    May 02, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    2900 Mid Pines Dr, Raleigh at the NCSU Apiculture Shelter

  Register

  Join us for the Spring Cookout at NCSU Apiculture Lab RAIN OR SHINE under the picnic shelter!

  Members and their household family are invited to join us for family fun.  A hamburger and hot dog picnic lunch (with vegetarian option) will be provided by the club and you only need to bring yourself!

  Please register by April 24 so we know how much food to prepare.  (Also, please make every effort to attend if you register to reduce food waste)

  The address is 2900 Mid Pines Dr, but that is only for the entrance.  Follow a sign to the Bill Fike Teaching Garden and continue down the road until you reach a large building and picnic shelter.  It is labeled Dix Hill Activity and Conference Center on the map image below 

  
  

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• May Club Meeting

  • When
    May 12, 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Laurel Hills Park Community Center, 3808 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612

  Register

  Location CHANGE TO LAUREL HILLS PARK

  7pm Workshop: TBD
  

  7:30pm Topic: Building a Profitable Beekeeping Business 

  Speaker: James Hartman MBA

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• Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz

  • When
    May 17, 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Historic Oakview County Park 4028 Carya Dr, Raleigh

  Register

  Bring your veil and smoker! Grab a friend and come play with some bees!! 
  

  WHAT: Watch and participate as Mr. Buzz Ben Crawley inspects real colonies of bees. Questions from the crowd are encouraged!

  

  WHERE: The hives are located near the cotton field at Historic Oak View

  WHEN: This event usually takes place on the 3rd Sunday from March-September. The event is weather dependent and may be moved for other conflicts. 

  The practical exam for the NCSBA Certified Beekeeper program are also given at each Hands on the Hive event, no appointment necessary. Please make sure the instructor knows you are there to take the test at the beginning of the meeting. For the practical part you must bring your own equipment including a smoker, veil, and suit.  
   The form with the criteria for the practical exam can be found on the state website.

  
  

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• June Club Meeting

  • When
    June 09, 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Wake County Commons 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh

  Register

  7pm Workshop: TBD
  

  7:30pm Topic: Getting Younger Generations Into Beekeeping 

  Speaker:  Brandon Dillman

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• Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz

  • When
    June 14, 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Historic Oakview County Park 4028 Carya Dr, Raleigh

  Register

  Bring your veil and smoker! Grab a friend and come play with some bees!! 
  

  WHAT: Watch and participate as Mr. Buzz Ben Crawley inspects real colonies of bees. Questions from the crowd are encouraged!

  

  WHERE: The hives are located near the cotton field at Historic Oak View

  WHEN: This event usually takes place on the 3rd Sunday from March-September. The event is weather dependent and may be moved for other conflicts. 

  The practical exam for the NCSBA Certified Beekeeper program are also given at each Hands on the Hive event, no appointment necessary. Please make sure the instructor knows you are there to take the test at the beginning of the meeting. For the practical part you must bring your own equipment including a smoker, veil, and suit.  
   The form with the criteria for the practical exam can be found on the state website.

  
  

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• NCSBA Summer Conference

  • Start
    July 09, 2026
  • End
    July 11, 2026
  • Location
    Benton Convention Center

  SAVE THE DATE

  
  

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• July Club Meeting

  • When
    July 14, 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    TBD

  Register

  7pm Workshop: FUN!!!
  

  7:30pm Topic: Food

  

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• Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz

  • When
    July 19, 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Historic Oakview County Park 4028 Carya Dr, Raleigh

  Register

  Bring your veil and smoker! Grab a friend and come play with some bees!! 
  

  WHAT: Watch and participate as Mr. Buzz Ben Crawley inspects real colonies of bees. Questions from the crowd are encouraged!

  

  WHERE: The hives are located near the cotton field at Historic Oak View

  WHEN: This event usually takes place on the 3rd Sunday from March-September. The event is weather dependent and may be moved for other conflicts. 

  The practical exam for the NCSBA Certified Beekeeper program are also given at each Hands on the Hive event, no appointment necessary. Please make sure the instructor knows you are there to take the test at the beginning of the meeting. For the practical part you must bring your own equipment including a smoker, veil, and suit.  
   The form with the criteria for the practical exam can be found on the state website.

  
  

  Show details
• August Club Meeting

  • When
    August 11, 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Wake County Commons 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh

  Register

  7pm Workshop: TBD
  

  7:30pm Topic: Instrumental Insemination & Sustainable Hive Management

  Speaker: Brandon Simmons

  
  

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• Mud Day at Walnut Creek Wetland Park

  • When
    August 15, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Walnut Creek Wetland Park, 950 Peterson St, Raleigh

  Register

  

  Club member volunteers needed again at MUD DAY!  If you are available, please RSVP and details will follow closer to the event.

  Walnut Creek Wetland Park is proud to host our 8^th annual Mud Day event on Saturday, August 15, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM! This family-friendly festival highlights the importance of wetlands and encourages children to explore nature through activities like a mud slide, obstacle course, live animal encounters, and crafts. 

  Mud Day will take place in and around Walnut Creek Wetland Park’s Norman and Betty Camp Education Center located at 950 Peterson Street in Raleigh.

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• Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz

  • When
    August 16, 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Historic Oakview County Park 4028 Carya Dr, Raleigh

  Register

  Bring your veil and smoker! Grab a friend and come play with some bees!! 
  

  WHAT: Watch and participate as Mr. Buzz Ben Crawley inspects real colonies of bees. Questions from the crowd are encouraged!

  

  WHERE: The hives are located near the cotton field at Historic Oak View

  WHEN: This event usually takes place on the 3rd Sunday from March-September. The event is weather dependent and may be moved for other conflicts. 

  The practical exam for the NCSBA Certified Beekeeper program are also given at each Hands on the Hive event, no appointment necessary. Please make sure the instructor knows you are there to take the test at the beginning of the meeting. For the practical part you must bring your own equipment including a smoker, veil, and suit.  
   The form with the criteria for the practical exam can be found on the state website.

  
  

  Show details
• September Club Meeting

  • When
    September 08, 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Wake County Commons 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh

  Register

  7pm Workshop: TBD
  

  7:30pm Topic: Do Insulated Hives Make a Difference?

  Speaker: Tito Sierra

  

  Tito is the founder of RALEIGH BEE (https://raleighbee.com), a small NCSBA Certified Honey Producer located 2 miles east of the State Capitol. Tito is a Certified Beekeeper in North Carolina, and is the Vice President of the Wake County Beekeeper Association.
  

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• Hands on the Hive with Mr. Buzz!!!!

  • When
    September 20, 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    4028 Carya Drive Raleigh NC 27610
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  Bring your veil, hive tool and smoker! Grab a friend and come play with some bees!! 

  WHAT: Watch and participate as Mr. Buzz Ben Crawley inspects real hives with real bees. Questions from the crowd are encouraged!

  

  WHERE: The hives are located near the cotton field at Historic Oak View

  WHEN: This event usually takes place on the 3rd Sunday from March-September. The event is weather dependent and may be moved for other conflicts. 

  The practical exam for the NCSBA Certified Beekeeper program are also given at each Hands on the Hive event, no appointment necessary. Please make sure the instructor knows you are there to take the test at the beginning of the meeting. For the practical part you must bring your own equipment including a smoker, veil, suit and hive tool. The form with the criteria for the practical exam can be found on the state website.

  
  

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• October Club Meeting

  • When
    October 13, 2026
  •  
    6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Wake County Commons 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh

  Register

  6:30 PM:  Annual Fall Plant Exchange & Club Swap Shop

  Plant Exchange
  Fall is the best time to divide most perennials.  With the approaching cold weather, plants focus on root development and wait until spring to focus on blooms.  Plants suffer less stress with being planted in the fall, and although you should water regularly (at least once a week) after transplanting, and continue until frost, after that, baring any droughts, most plants can handle a lot less attention going into the spring. 

  Want to participate?  Here is how it works:  You bring bee-friendly plants you want to exchange, and receive a ticket for each plant you bring, that can be exchanged for plants that others bring.  You are welcome to bring other plants that you think people might want, but you will only receive a ticket for bee-friendly plants. 

  Each plant should be accompanied by a tag indicating what it is, and each group of plants that are the same should have a description on an index card, suitable for taking a picture

  Equipment Sale (tools, woodenware honeybee products):

  If you plan to sell - be at the parking Lot by 6:15, to set up.  The parking lot will be marked for the sale and look for volunteers to answer any questions. Also any items not sold during parking lot sale must be taken back by the owner and is not eligible for raffle. However, items can be donated for club use.

  You can also post your items on the Wake County Facebook page.

  If you plan to buy - the event starts at 6:30. Please bring cash

  7pm Workshop: TBD
  

  7:30pm Topic: Flow Hives

  Speaker:  Willy Tracy

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• November Club Meeting

  • When
    November 10, 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Wake County Commons 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh

  Register

  7:00 - PLEASE ARRIVE BY 7PM TO ALLOW TIME TO CHECK IN

  VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION RAFFLE kicks off after everyone checks in.  Each member with participation and volunteer credits will earn raffle tickets towards some awesome prizes!   There will be many fantastic items you can enter to win.  You will be able to choose which prizes to enter your tickets.

  *No raffle tickets are for sale, only those earned by members

  
  

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• December Club Meeting

  • When
    December 08, 2026
  •  
    6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Wake County Commons 4011 Carya Dr, Raleigh

  Register

  6:30-8:30PM:   WCBA 2025 Potluck Holiday Gathering (Note Time Change!)

  Come join us for fun and food at our 2026 Annual Holiday Gathering at the Wake Commons building. This is a perfect time to visit and catch up with fellow club members.   BEEKEEPER OF THE YEAR will also be awarded. 

  The club will provide ham and turkey, as well as beverages and paper goods.  Members need to sign up to bring EITHER a side-dish, dessert or bread through signup genius.  Look for that!

  
  

  We look forward to having you come and celebrate this past year and share your bee stories with your fellow beekeepers. It's a great time to share your culture and traditions.

  

  
  

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