If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to keep a hive, harvest honey, or simply spend time among thousands of buzzing bees, a unique opportunity is coming to Port Hope this month.
Operation BeeStrong (OBS) is partnering with Dancing Bee Equipment to host a free introductory beekeeping session aimed specifically at active and retired military members, first responders, and frontline professionals. The event will offer participants a chance to learn about beekeeping in a relaxed and supportive environment while discovering how the hobby can provide benefits that extend far beyond the hive.
The session takes place on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at Dancing Bee Equipment in Port Hope and is designed to introduce participants to the world of beekeeping while connecting them with a growing community of like-minded individuals.
For Jeremy Ashley, co-founder of Operation BeeStrong and an inspector with the Belleville Police Service, the initiative is about much more than teaching people how to care for bees.
“We want to connect that group of people to beekeeping for a variety of reasons,” Ashley explained.
Ashley said the organization was founded on the belief that beekeeping can provide a positive outlet for individuals who regularly work in high-stress environments and are exposed to trauma through their careers.
Military personnel, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, physicians, Children’s Aid Society workers, correctional staff, and other frontline professionals often spend their careers helping others during difficult situations. Operation BeeStrong aims to provide those individuals with an opportunity to focus on something entirely different while building meaningful connections within a supportive community.
Ashley said beekeeping offers several benefits, including mental wellness, environmental stewardship, mentorship opportunities, and the simple enjoyment of developing a rewarding hobby.
“Our mantra is one mentor, one mentee, and one hive at a time.”
That philosophy forms the foundation of the program. Participants are paired with experienced beekeepers who provide guidance, knowledge, and support as they learn the craft.
The program encourages relationships between seasoned beekeepers and those new to the hobby, creating an environment where participants can learn at their own pace while becoming part of a larger network.
Ashley has been keeping bees for a number of years and says there is something difficult to describe about spending time around a hive.
“There is something special about being in a beehive, cracking into it and seeing what’s going on. The smells, the sounds — it’s a great thing for mental wellness.”
Many beekeepers describe the activity as both calming and engaging. Working with bees requires focus and attention, often encouraging individuals to leave behind the stresses of daily life and concentrate entirely on the hive in front of them.
Ashley believes that combination can be particularly beneficial for people whose careers often involve high-pressure situations and exposure to traumatic events.
As far as he is aware, there is no other initiative in Canada that mirrors what Operation BeeStrong is trying to accomplish.
Officially launched in the fall of 2025, the organization has already connected first responders and beekeepers across Ontario. Through its mentorship model, participants gain practical beekeeping experience while becoming part of a supportive community that continues long after the first hive inspection.
The program is structured as a three-year journey designed to gradually build knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills.
Year One: Learning the Buzz
The first year focuses on learning the fundamentals of beekeeping.
Participants spend time alongside experienced mentors, learning everything from how to properly wear protective equipment and safely approach a hive to understanding colony health, seasonal management, and routine inspections.
For many participants, it is their first opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of an active beehive up close.
Throughout the season, mentees work alongside their mentors, asking questions, gaining hands-on experience, and developing a strong foundation in beekeeping practices.
Year Two: Spreading Your Wings
By the second year, participants begin taking on greater responsibility.
With guidance still available from their mentors, they start managing their own colonies and making independent decisions regarding hive management.
The focus shifts toward building confidence and self-sufficiency while continuing to develop practical skills and experience.
Participants gain a deeper understanding of bee behaviour, seasonal challenges, honey production, and colony health management.
Year Three: Becoming a Pillar of the Hive
The third year emphasizes leadership, community involvement, and advanced learning.
Participants are encouraged to share their knowledge, support newer beekeepers, and become active contributors to the Operation BeeStrong community.
Some graduates choose to become mentors themselves, helping guide future participants through the same journey they experienced.
The model allows the program to continue growing while strengthening connections between beekeepers and frontline professionals across the province.
“We’ve had a lot of good success matching people and we’re hoping to continue the success to the Port Hope area and beyond with the help of Dancing Bee,” Ashley said.
The partnership with Dancing Bee Equipment is expected to help expand awareness of the initiative throughout Northumberland County and surrounding communities.
When Ashley first approached Dancing Bee about becoming involved, the response was immediate.
Dana Petrillo of Dancing Bee Equipment said the organization was eager to support a program that combines mental wellness, environmental awareness, and community building.
“When Jeremy contacted us and explained what BeeStrong was about, we were 100 per cent supportive,” Petrillo said.
She believes bees have a unique ability to provide a calming and therapeutic experience for people who spend time working with them.
“Bees are very healing. They buzz in a tone that’s very healing, very therapeutic. So that’s something we want to spread awareness of.”
Beyond their therapeutic value to beekeepers, Petrillo noted the important role bees play in agriculture and the environment.
Bees are responsible for pollinating a significant portion of the crops people rely on every day and are essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems.
“Bees pollinate 80 per cent of our agriculture and are a huge part of the ecosystem,” she said.
Organizers hope the upcoming information session will introduce participants not only to the basics of beekeeping but also to the supportive community that has formed around Operation BeeStrong.
The event will provide an opportunity to ask questions, learn about the mentorship program, meet experienced beekeepers, and determine whether the program is a good fit.
Whether attendees are simply curious about beekeeping, interested in environmental stewardship, or looking for a rewarding new hobby, organizers say the session offers a welcoming place to start.
Event Details
What: Operation BeeStrong Beekeeping Information Session
Who: Active and retired military members, first responders, and frontline professionals, including nurses, doctors, paramedics, and CAS workers.
Where: Dancing Bee Equipment, 5029 County Road 2 Port Hope, ON L1A 3V5
When: Sunday, June 14, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Registration is free, but space is limited.
To reserve a spot, contact Dana Petrillo at dana@dancingbeeequipment.com.
Jeremy Ashley
Co-Founder, Operation BeeStrong
Email: info@beestrong.ca
Website: beestrong.ca
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
