To foster a lifelong love of beekeeping and to train the next generation of Lewis County beekeepers, the Lewis County Beekeepers Association will provide bees, supplies, and educational opportunities up to the value of $500 each to 3 to 4 Lewis County applicants who meet the criteria of age, interest, eligible school district, and ability to participate in an 18 month LCBA educational and mentorship program in beekeeping. Students who complete program requirements can keep bees & gear.
For 2021, LCBA's Youth Scholarship Program will be open to students throughout Lewis County, as well as southern Thurston and northern Cowlitz Counties (depending on availability of mentors). Applicants must be 6th - 10th graders in 2019; home schooled students are welcome to apply.
In 2020, we had six excellent applicants & awarded 4 full and 2 partial scholarships to students from Winlock, Chehalis, Centralia, & Rochester. In 2019, our winner was from Rochester: in 2018, our winners were from Chehalis, Onalaska, Rochester, & Winlock; in 2017, our winners were from Centralia & Tenino; in 2016, our winners were from Chehalis & Napavine; in 2015, the program went to Onalaska, & in 2014, LCBA's Youth Scholarship program ran as a pilot in the Toledo High School District.
LCBA Youth in Beekeeping Scholarship recipients must meet these requirements:
- Work under the direction and guidance of a LCBA mentor, to be designated by the Board of Directors, for the duration of the 18 month educational and mentorship program.
- Complete LCBA's Beginning Beekeeping Course prior to getting bees & gear
- Attend at least 10 educational events in any combination of educational presentations at the LCBA monthly meetings and LCBA workshops during the 18 month educational and mentorship program, to be chosen by the recipient in consultation with the beekeeping mentor. Regular hive maintenance and mentor visits to the apiary are considered regular animal husbandry and do not count toward the 10 minimum educational events. This requirement will be waived for any events that are canceled by covid 19 precautions and can't be rescheduled online or via very small group meetings with social distancing.
- Establish and maintain one Langstroth hive.
- Provide peer mentorship to the following year’s scholarship recipients for the first 6 months of the new recipients’ program.
- Be a bee and beekeeping advocate for their community and a positive role model for other youth interested in beekeeping by participating in outreach activities, such as participating in bee education programs for school and community groups. (See above re: pandemic alternatives.)
- Volunteer at LCBA’s exhibit at the Southwest Washington Fair & Spring Youth Fair (see above re: pandemic alternatives).
- Keep a journal and present their beekeeping experience to the membership of the LCBA.
- Return bees and supplies to the LCBA if unable to meet or complete the requirements of the scholarship program.
2021 Criteria for Selection:
The applicant must:
- Be a 6th – 10th grade student residing in and attending school or being home schooled in Lewis County, north Cowlitz, or south Thurston counties during 2021;
- Be from a family new to beekeeping;
- Commit to take LCBA's 2021 Beginning Beekeeping Course (all costs covered by the scholarship) at Centralia College: the program will run for 6 Saturday mornings starting in January 2020 (Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30, Feb 6, 13; covid-19 precautions may move the class online).
- Submit a fully complete scholarship application (for the 2020 scholarship application forms, click on the links on the right column of this page);
- Submit a 200-word letter in the applicant’s own words telling why they want to participate in the LCBA Youth in Beekeeping Scholarship Program;
- Provide two letters of recommendation from references not related to the applicant, one of which will be from a science or agriculture teacher; home schooled students may submit letters from community members;
- Sign a "hold harmless" agreement with LCBA. For the 2021 form, see the right column of this page.
- Sign a photo release agreement with LCBA. For the 2021 form, see the right column; and
- If requested, successfully complete an interview with the LCBA Board of Directors/Scholarship Committee (this may be done in person, by phone, or via Zoom or Facetime).
Final selection of scholarship recipients is at the sole discretion of LCBA's Board of Directors.
If you have questions about LCBA's program, please contact our Education Coordinator or Secretary.
