Thinking about raising bees in your backyard or garden? This beginner-friendly, non-credit course at CÉGEP Heritage College introduces you to the fascinating world of beekeeping. You’ll learn about hive setup, bee biology, seasonal care, common challenges, and how to harvest your own honey. Whether you're looking to support pollinators, grow your self-sufficiency, or simply try something new, this hands-on course offers the practical skills and knowledge you need to get started—no prior experience required.

Our expert beekeeper-teacher Bob Valcov, is passionate about his work. Bob has been keeping honeybees in Aylmer as a hobby for almost 40 years. His honey has won many awards including first prize at the 2023 National Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. He has taught Introduction to Backyard Beekeeping at CÉGEP Heritage College for 10 years. Sharing his expert knowledge and experience, he consistently earns high level course evaluations and recommendations from his students. Bob guarantees that, after taking this course, you will be able to keep honey bees and produce your own honey!

This workshop covers:

  • a brief history of beekeeping
  • simple biology of the honeybee
  • pollination
  • basic requirements and needs for getting started
  • seasonal hive management
    • feeding
    • queens
    • swarms,
    • over-wintering
  • diseases and pests
  • harvesting and processing of honey and beeswax.

Hopefully, a visit to an apiary is possible during the course, but not guaranteed. 

Course Schedule

Backyard Beekeeping 18-hour non-credit workshop is offered onsite at the main campus in Gatineau.

Start date: Tuesday September 16, 2025

End date: Thursday October 2, 2025

Course Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6pm to 9pm

Deadline to register: Tuesday September 2, 2025

Space is limited. There is a maximum of 15 students for this course.

Non-credit courses and workshops could be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.

Code
# of hours
Cost
Date(s)
Days of week
Hours
  • 999-010-081
    Backyard Beekeeping
    999-010-081
    Backyard Beekeeping
    18
    $175 plus tax
    Sep 16 to Oct 2
    Tue Thu
    6pm to 9pm
    999-010-081
    18
    $175 plus tax
    Sep 16 to Oct 2
    Tue Thu
    6pm to 9pm

Week 1: Tuesday September 16th and Thursday September 18th

Week 2: Tuesday September 23rd & Thursday September 25th

Week 3: Tuesday September 30th & Thursday October 2nd

Participants wishing to withdraw must contact Student Services.

  1. Participants wishing to withdraw before the registration deadline: partial refund ($30.00 administration fee will apply).
  2. Participants wishing to withdraw after the registration deadline: no refund.
  3. Any course/workshop cancelled by the College: full refund to participants.

**Schedule and prices in effect may change without notice but we make all efforts to post on our website in a timely manner.

Registration opens August 18. Want to be notified the moment it does?

Join the waitlist


For more information:

819-778-2270 ext. 2803

sricci@cegep-heritage.qc.ca