ST subscribers and their kids become beekeepers for the day at bee workshop

SINGAPORE – Subscribers of The Straits Times and their children got up close and personal with bees during a workshop at education centre Bee Amazed Garden, located in Singapore University of Social Sciences in Clementi, on the morning of June 15.

The All About Bees workshop was part of ST Plus Rewards’ offerings, specially catered to parents and young children for the June school holidays.

As all 39 slots were snapped up, a second workshop was added on June 16 due to popular demand.

During the first part of the three-hour workshop, participants learnt about the different species of bees in Singapore, their anatomy and how to act around them, before heading to Bee Amazed’s rooftop garden to view the bees in their hives.

Housewife Angeline Ng, 43, and her daughter Kristen Png, 10, were the first to don their beekeeping suits and inspect 500 Apis cerana bees on a honeycomb.

“It was our first time interacting with bees up close, and it helped me overcome my fear of them,” said Ms Ng.

Her husband signed them up for the workshop after coming across an advertisement for it in ST, as Kristen has an interest in science and bees.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe the bees so closely,” added the Primary 4 pupil from Fuhua Primary School.

Participants’ interactions with the bees were closely supervised by Bee Amazed Garden founder John Chong, 65, who ran the workshop.

Bee Amazed Garden founder John Chong distributing samples of Avocado Blossoms honey to participants of the ST Plus Rewards’ All About Bees Workshop on June 15. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO

For housewife Joanne Low, 44, and her husband Mike Giam, 43, who works in the banking industry, the workshop was a good way for them to bond with their two children while learning more about the insect, which they often encounter at home.

“We occasionally have bees enter our home and we were all really afraid of them. After the bee farm tour, we learnt a lot about their behaviour and understand them more,” said Ms Low. “It is a good experience for the kids, who are growing up in Singapore’s urban environment.”

Mr Mike Giam and his wife Joanne Low with their son Meyer and daughter Myra tasting samples of Avocado Blossoms honey at the All About Bees Workshop. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO

Participants were also able to taste five types of exotic honeys, four of which are from Mr Chong’s brand, My Honey. While sampling the honeys, the children were taught values that can be gleaned from bees, such as teamwork and filial piety.

Ms Low’s children expressed their excitement over the hands-on interaction with the bees, as well as the honey-tasting segment of the programme.

“Bees are my favourite insect, so it was fun to hold the honeycomb. I expected it to be light, but it was heavy,” said Myra, nine. Meanwhile, her seven-year-old brother Meyer added he was “excited to taste the honey”.

The workshop was priced at $30 a person for ST subscribers. The usual price is $50.

Bee Amazed Garden founder John Chong placing the honeycomb passed around to participants back into its hive. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO

Although it was their family’s first time taking part in an ST Plus Rewards event, Ms Low said it will not be the last.

“It was in a good location, conducted very safely and priced reasonably. As our kids hardly get the chance to see farming being done, we definitely will participate in similar experiential events in the future.”