It is mostly about just meeting each other.... things grew after bud 1. But yes they usually had a removal which was just something to do I guess. Usually lead by JP and I think Shawee's or Yappy. The bees in buds area are real swarmy and we were there in April the height of the season. He ran swarm traps like fishing a trot line so there were always plenty swarms and one year they cut a swarm out of a swarm trap. Bud did not put frames in swarm traps. And there was usually some grafting.. and some hive entries just to say we did. The first year we made a night entry with red lights to I guess prove the bees did not react to red light vs white light (Buckley led that)
And did I say we ATE and ATE and ATE some more.
Me personally but not necessarily a hands on... I would like to hear some lip balm recipes... creamed honey (maybe cinnamon and pecan) and hear about trapping pollen and preparation of pollen for sale to the public. Maybe someone that will be in attendance have these items in their repertoire.
Oh on the hands on area, I am all thumbs... I know nothing of wood cutting simple joints and simple nuc building etc. I know that is your expertise. I would love to learn a simple joint and how to cut it without a dado blade. Learning a simple method to do this on a cheap table saw or with a circular saw would make the whole 5hr drive (I re goggled just 5hrs) worth my while along with meeting folks. I also would like to return to SC with all my fingers and thumbs
So there are a few ideas just to throw around and I will certainly bring my ultralight if I come...