We are using the 4-H Beekeeping materials from Purdue University in Indiana as the basis for our club. The PDF files for their materials are linked below. The materials come in three levels. I recommend that you start at the lowest level and go as far as you can with your age and resources.
Level I – Understanding the Honey Bee
Level II – Working with Honey Bees
Level III – Advanced Beekeeping Methods
Indiana also has a good helpers guide that can be used to generate ideas for projects. Parents of participants may find this useful in helping their kids select projects.
The Indiana materials seemed to be the best learning materials for us but other states have materials that have their own advantages. Those materials that I have identified are linked below.
South Carolina publishes a Junior level Beekeeping Project Record Book. This book would be a good record book for our younger members.
From Utah, we find what I think is the best 4-H Beekeeping Workbook and Record Book for someone taking up beekeeping as it forces the individual to look at the project from many aspects, including cost.
Ohio has published a Beekeeper’s Almanac which covers the beekeeping year including what is happening in the floral area during different parts of the year. Although their season leads us in the Spring and trails us in the fall, I believe that there is a lot of good information contained.
I will be referring to the book Beekeeping Basics published by Penn State. I have hard copies available at the cost of $10. A link to the PDF version is here.