Beekeeping doesn’t start with a hive or a colony of your own, but with the question that many beginners ask themselves: Is this something for me? You really get to know that when you’ve stood among the bees: the buzzing, the warmth of the people, the smell of soap and honey, and the peace and quiet you need to be able to observe properly. That’s why you should start with an beekeeper workshop for beginners.
My name is Michiel, owner of Logies op Dreef in Driebergen and beekeeper on our own farm. Directly next to the guest accommodation is my apiary, and on that farm I give the Imker Workshop Experience: 2.5 hours among the bees, alone or with two others, followed by tasting the honey. Such a workshop doesn't make you a beekeeper; you learn that skill on a real beekeeper course, and that can be found in the Utrecht region and on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. After that, the steps to becoming a beekeeper follow, and in the Netherlands there are regulations for those who want to keep bees themselves. It starts with the difference between a workshop and a course.
Workshop or Course: The Difference at a Glance
A workshop and a course are two different things. The first lets you experience what it’s like. The second teaches you the craft.
| Beekeeping Workshop Experience at Logies op Dreef | Introductory Course in Beekeeping (NBV) | |
|---|---|---|
| Objective | Getting Started: Find Out If Working With Bees Is Right for You | Learning to care for bee colonies independently and responsibly |
| Duration | 2.5 hours | A full beekeeping season: usually begins in January–March and ends in September–October |
| Form | Personally, alone or with two people (maximum two participants); working on your own at the counter | Theory and practical classes, and occasionally a field trip |
| Insider Information | Not necessary | Not necessary |
| Equipment | We'll provide you with a protective suit and gloves | Beekeeping suits and equipment are usually not included in the course fee |
| Result | You know best whether beekeeping is right for you | NBV diploma possible after successful examination and minimum 80% attendance |
| When | Roughly from April through September, when the outdoor temperature is 18 °C or higher | According to the local club's schedule |
Source of the introductory course: Dutch Beekeepers' Association (NBV).
In short: You can't become a beekeeper in 2.5 hours. At least that way, you’ll actually get to spend some time among the bees before committing to a full-season course or purchasing your own colony.
Check out the Beekeeping Workshop Experience →
What You'll Do During the Beekeeping Workshop Experience
You don't need to prepare anything. Since we're working with real people, every session is a little different. Here's a general outline of how it goes:
- Welcome and an explanation. I'll talk about the bees, the apiary, the protective suit, and what we do and don't do at the hive.
- Put on your protective suit. You'll receive a complete beekeeper's suit and gloves.
- Take a look at the flight opening. Before we open anything, we look at the outside of the hive and observe the behavior of the foraging bees. You can already tell a lot from that.
- Opening a cabinet together. If the weather and the colony allow it, we’ll open a hive together. You’ll see frames, bees, brood, and often the honey stores. I’ll explain step by step what we’re looking for: Is the colony calm? Is there brood? Is there enough food?
- Join in yourself. Under supervision, you'll be able to use the tools on your own.
- Honey tasting and a chat afterward. We’ll wrap up with our own, unprocessed honey from the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, and there will be time for all your questions—including how you can continue learning afterward.
What Participants Say
"We got to put on two nice suits and see up close how these insects live. Very impressive. You get to see every stage of a bee’s life. […] He gave us time to learn and put things into practice using the few tools available." — Google review, September 2026, 5/5
"Absolutely great! Very personalized attention. I got to do a lot on my own and learned a lot!" — Google review, September 2026, 5/5
"Michiel is passionate about his bees, takes plenty of time with them, and makes sure you feel comfortable before he moves on." — Google review, July 2025, 4/5
What You Won't Learn in 2.5 Hours
Let’s be honest: after the workshop, you won’t yet be able to care for a bee colony on your own. You won’t have learned how to help a colony survive the winter, how to deal with varroa (the main parasite of honeybees), how to prevent swarming, or when to harvest honey. You’ll only learn that by going through an entire season. That’s what a basic course is for.
What you do take away: how it feels to stand in front of an open hive, whether you can stay calm among thousands of bees, and whether you’re curious enough to commit to a season of beekeeping. For some participants, it’s just a special afternoon. For others, it’s the start of a new hobby. Both are fine.
Becoming a beekeeper as a beginner: this is how to do it
Would you like to start keeping bees yourself after your first introduction to beekeeping? If so, I recommend following these steps.
1. Experience it first. Spend some time among the bees—for example, at a workshop like ours. Some local NBV chapters also organize introductory courses.
2. Take a basic course. The NBV advises against purchasing a hive without first acquiring the necessary knowledge. In the Basic Beekeeping Course, you’ll spend an entire season learning both theory and practice. During the course year, you’ll be a free member of the NBV.
3. Join a local club. There you'll find experienced beekeepers, real-life examples from your own region, and often help with your first hive.
4. Don't buy your hive and colony until then. You should purchase a hive, a colony, and the necessary equipment (beekeeper's suit, gloves, hive tool, smoker) once you know what you're getting into. The NBV brochure How do you become a beekeeper? Make a list of what you need and how much time and money it will cost.
5. Pay attention to the rules. Whether you are allowed to keep bees where you live is regulated by your municipality. Some municipalities have a distance rule in their APV, for example 30 meters between beehives and residential or public roads; closer is only allowed with a permit. Ask your municipality and a local NBV branch before placing a hive.
Beekeeping Courses in the Utrecht Region and the Utrechtse Heuvelrug
The offerings vary from year to year. Therefore, always check the current dates and terms and conditions yourself.
- NBV – Basic Beekeeping Course: Nationwide overview of introductory courses offered by local chapters. View the NBV's course offerings
- NBV Utrechtse Heuvelrug Chapter: for the Driebergen, Doorn, Maarn, Leersum, Zeist, and surrounding areas. Check out the Utrechtse Heuvelrug branch of the NBV
- Utrecht Beekeepers' Association: Courses and workshops for beginner and experienced beekeepers in and around Utrecht. View courses offered by the Utrecht Beekeepers Association
Want to learn more about what it takes to become a beekeeper? Read the NBV's guide: Want to become a beekeeper?
How I Take Care of the Bees
What I especially want to convey to participants is this: beekeeping involves doing less than you think—and observing much more.
- You don't open a cabinet just for show. We only open when the weather, the crowd, and the timing are right. If it's raining, cold, or windy, the booth stays closed, and we'll reschedule for another time.
- Work calmly. Gentle movements cause less stress for the bees and build your confidence.
- Alone or with two other people, a maximum of two participants. That way, you'll have plenty of time to ask your questions, and the disruption to the public will be kept to a minimum.
- Honey isn't the main goal. Sometimes we harvest the honey, and sometimes we leave it with the bees. The well-being of the colony comes first.
A good beekeeper isn't someone who does a lot, but someone who knows when to do something—and when not to.
Honey, beeswax, and propolis
A bee colony produces more than just honey. With beeswax Bees build their honeycombs. Propolis is a resinous substance they use to seal cracks and protect the hive. Our honey comes from the bees in and around our property, in the heart of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. During the workshop, you’ll taste honey that you’ve just seen where it comes from.
Would you like to learn more about how a colony works together to make honey? Then read How Honeybees Work Together to Make Honey. Or check out Our apiary on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
Practical Information
- Duration: 2.5 hours, including a welcome, hands-on work with the bees, honey tasting, and a chat afterward.
- Where: on our farm in Driebergen-Rijsenburg, on the Utrecht Heuvelrug. Station Driebergen-Zeist is 7 minutes by bike, with trains to Utrecht (12 min) and Amsterdam (40 min). Free parking is available on the premises.
- When: By arrangement during the bee season—roughly April through September—and only when the weather is suitable and the outside temperature is at least about 18 °C.
- Group size: Alone or with two people, a maximum of two participants. Feel free to come along with your partner or a friend.
- Included: personal guidance, protective gear and gloves, and a tasting of our own honey.
- Available for individual booking: You don't have to stay overnight with us. However, if you are staying in Studio Boven or Studio Beneden, you can combine the workshop with your stay.
- Gift: Is there no date that works for you right now, or would you like to give the workshop as a gift? We offer gift certificates for one or two people.
- Pricing and Cancellation: You can find the current price and terms and conditions on the booking page.
Check availability and book the Beekeeping Workshop Experience →
Frequently asked questions about Imker
Will I learn how to keep bees on my own in this workshop?
No. In 2.5 hours, you will get to know how to work with the bees for yourself. You will learn to independently care for a colony in a basic course that lasts an entire season.
Is the workshop a good first step if I want to become a beekeeper?
Yes. You'll find out if beekeeping is right for you before you invest time and money in a course, a hive, and a colony.
Is it safe?
You’ll wear a full protective suit with gloves, and we’ll work calmly, only under suitable conditions. You can never completely rule out the possibility of being stung by a bee. Are you allergic to bee stings? If so, please consult your doctor beforehand and let me know before you book.
What happens in case of bad weather?
If it's raining, cold, or windy, we won't open the cabinet. In that case, we'll schedule another time in consultation with you.
Where can I find a beekeeping course near Utrecht?
Check with the Utrechtse Heuvelrug chapter of the NBV, the Utrecht Beekeepers' Association, or the NBV's national course directory. The links are listed above, under Beekeeping Courses in the Utrecht Region and the Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
Can I give the workshop as a gift?
Yes, with a gift certificate. The recipient chooses a time during the season.
What rules apply to beekeeping in the Netherlands?
That varies per municipality and is stated in the APV. In the municipality of Utrechtse Heuvelrug there are no specific rules for beekeeping; other municipalities sometimes have a distance requirement, for example 30 meters from residential properties or the public road. Ask your municipality and a local branch of the Dutch Beekeepers’ Association (NBV) for more information.
What does bee mean?
A beekeeper is someone who keeps and cares for bees, also known as a beekeeper. Beekeeping involves keeping bee colonies for the honey and for pollinating plants and trees in the area.
Is there an beekeeping workshop near me?
Around Utrecht and on the Utrecht Hills you can attend the Imker Workshop Experience at Logies op Dreef in Driebergen: 2.5 hours, alone or with two people. For a complete basic course, check with the NBV section Utrechtse Heuvelrug or the Beekeepers Association Utrecht.
