Kickstarter

The Honey Helpers are a group of elementary students at Wissahickon Charter School that will become beekeepers.  They will work with a local beekeeper and school staff to learn about bee biology, hive design, honeybee foraging habits, and honeybee genetics.  Each student will be responsible for the care of their own hive with the help of an adult.  As honey production begins, students will participate in the harvesting and bottling of the honey.  One goal for the club is to eventually sell the honey, wax candles, queens, bees and nucs. The profits to reinvest in the club to make the program financially sustainable.  We are presently in need of monies for the initial start-up expenses.

Wissahickon Charter School is an environmentally focused kindergarten through eighth grade school that has students from over 30 zip codes in Philadelphia. There are 426 students at the school, 74% of the students at Wissahickon Charter School receive free school lunch.

This project will also help the declining pollinator population. Bees have been in serious decline for the past few years.  By placing these hives in a city we are going to significantly increase the bee population. The project will also help prepare future beekeepers to care for bees and the environment.

These bees will be kept in an all natural way, no pesticides or insecticides! The students will learn from the beginning that pesticides are not the way to go. Having healthy strong bees will help the students and the environments

In order for this club to get off its feet, materials are needed.  The projected cost for all materials is $2279.  A detailed budget of cost projection is below.

Costs:

Hives

The local beekeeper will build the hives. The monies will cover costs of the wood.

6 - Kenyan Top Bar Hives

Total = 330

Protective Clothing and Equipment

8 J - Hive tool 11.95

8 Smokers - 30.75

8 half protective Suit and veil - 52.95

8 Plastic coated gloves 10.50

Total + shipping =  $1400

 Bees - Wolf Creek Apiaries

5 - 3 pound packages of bees with queen including shipping and insurance

1 package is being donated by wolf creek apiaries

Total = 579

Project Total = $2279