Beekeeping Classes with Ray Hewitt

Choose the learning format that fits you best. Learn online at your own pace or attend an in-person class in Chapin, South Carolina, with Ray Hewitt, a certified Master Beekeeper.

Compare the two options below, then explore the complete online course or view current in-person class dates. You can also begin with our free New Beekeeper Getting Started Guide, read student reviews, or learn about inviting Ray to speak at your event.

Self-Paced Online Beginner Course

Learn at your own pace with more than 6 hours of quality video teaching, 40+ lessons and additional bonus material, lifetime access, and an optional certificate. The updated 3rd Edition provides a practical, step-by-step path for beginning beekeepers. See complete course information and a sample lesson.

In-Person Beekeeping Classes

Learn face-to-face in Chapin, South Carolina. Our primary one-day Beginner Beekeeping class is normally offered in January and February and includes access to the online Beginner Course. Seasonal hands-on bee-handling classes are offered in spring when available.

Franklin O Rowe III profile picture
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Ray gave a great class on the basics of beekeeping. Very useful information for a brand new beekeeper.
Franklin O
Jan Nerud profile picture
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Very knowledgeable and helpful, I would certainly reccomend Ray to anyone looking to get started or increase their bee presence.
Jan N
timothy kirby profile picture
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If your looking to get started in beekeeping , Ray is your guy ! He is extremely knowledgeable. Ray has been keeping bees all his life. His father and grandfather were beekeepers. He is very patient and a good teacher. I highly recommend attending his classes prior to diving right in. There is alot and I mean alot to know.
Timothy K
Emily Furtick profile picture
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Highly recommend taking the class! Ray was very informative, kind, and explained everything you need to know to bee 🐝 successful! I also recommend buying your bees from him! He will answer all your questions. & if you do the class you will have access to video lessons forever which is a MAJOR help.
Emily F
megggie jane profile picture
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So great!! My husband and I learned so much more than we could have imagined when signing up! I also really appreciate that after the class you get access to the class online so even though you may have missed something or didn’t understand you can refer back to online class! VERY educational and friendly!
Megggie J
Hope Dove profile picture
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What an awesome class! So much helpful information! Ray Rocks!!
Hope D
Gin Warf profile picture
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Very informative and straight forward class. I learned a lot and can't wait to get started!
Gin W
Brad Gainey profile picture
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Ray is great at explaining the basics and the nuances that you need to know to thrive. Super helpful and willing to share his experience with us that are learning!
Brad G
Steve Wall profile picture
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I just finished the class titled "Is beekeeping right for me?" Extremely informative, written and produced in a way that incorporates common sense, technology and knowledge that could only be achieved through years of experience and continuing education. Thank you.
Steve W
Catharine Adams profile picture
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Ray was a fantastic instructor and tour guide to his world of bee keeping. We learned so much and had a blast!
Catharine A
Joseph Bonavilla profile picture
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Ray was super informative and we learned so much. I brought my 10 and 12-year-old sons and we are equipped with the knowledge to start beekeeping! Great course!
Joseph B
Hanan Ali profile picture
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I recently attended this class and learned so much additional valuable information. I enjoyed the setting and instructor’s patience in teaching and answering questions. Definitely recommend this course if you are new to bee-keeping 🐝
Hanan A
Troy Bomar IV profile picture
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Ray gave a fantastic intro to beekeeping class. I can tell he's really passionate about beekeeping and it comes through in his class. I was really engrossed, as listening to someone speak deeply and thoroughly on a craft they're passionate about is always engaging. I've already ordered 2 hives from him and now learning all I can before I pick up my bees. Looking forward to the next hands-on class.
Troy B
Beth Gantt profile picture
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Definitely worth taking! Especially for a beginner!!!
Beth G
Felicia Wageman profile picture
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Very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful! Super nice and easy to work with.
Felicia W
jeremy bailey profile picture
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Great class. I learned a lot and feel better prepared to get my own bees.
Jeremy B
Brian Jordan profile picture
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If you are looking for a mentor for I would highly recommend Ray. He has decades of knowledge and is always willing to answer questions and help when needed. Ray is also very patient. Having Ray as a mentor has helped me learn how to maintain a bee colony stress free instead of trying to figure it out on my own which is one of the top reasons people quit beekeeping.
Brian J
Esther Dennis profile picture
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I came to the class knowing what I had learned about bees in grade school science classes (not much). After listening to the knowledge, wisdom, and experience of Ray, I left in awe of bees, with a desire to learn even more and experience beekeeping for myself. I’m picking up my bee colonies soon and looking forward to walking the journey with Ray.
Esther D
Yvonne Hudson profile picture
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Rays classes are Excellent. There was a lot of great content. So much too learn but Ray presents info in an easy to understand method. We originally bought bees without researching or learning anything. Big mistake. Luckily we found Ray on-line He helped save our first hive. We bought our second hive from him. We also signed up for the mentor program and the on-line training. Ray is close enough that we can attend his in-person classes all. I know our bees are thankful and so are we!
Yvonne H
Jennifer Yamamoto profile picture
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Ray is the best! The online videos have so much great information and his in person class helped us get prepared for our first hive. We’re very excited to become beekeepers
Jennifer Y
Seth profile picture
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A great place to learn all about bees. 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝🐝
Seth
Wayne McGlone profile picture
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I attended bee keeping class today, 2/3/2024, and I have to say, I was more than happy I did. This is my first year keeping bee's and I thought thru all my you tube watching and book reading I learned so much. However, today I learned so much more than I ever expected to. Ray did an amazing job presenting the information we needed. He broke it down in such a way that made it easy enough for a dolt like me to understand. It also was nice to get out into the yard and see the bee's up close. I can not say enough great things about Ray. He is a great teacher. He took all the time we needed to explain the answers to all the questions we asked of him. I highly recommend for anyone that is interested in beekeeping 6o reach out to Ray and take his class. You won't be disappointed. I know I wasn't. I am looking forward to a long relationship with Honey Top Bees. Thanks Ray.
Wayne M

“WARNING! Under South Carolina law, an agritourism professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in an agritourism activity resulting from an inherent risk associated with the agritourism activity”.

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