Operation BeeStrong
Our Mission: More Than Just Honey
Discover the mission behind Operation BeeStrong. Founded by a team passionate about service, community, and the incredible world of honeybees, we're dedicated to creating a supportive hive for those who've served Canada.
Operation BeeStrong offers a unique pathway to profound well-being through the focused, hands-on engagement of beekeeping. Participants discover a powerful sense of responsibility and belonging, building purpose one mentor, one mentee, and one hive at a time.
Operation BeeStrong offers a unique pathway to profound well-being through the focused, hands-on engagement of beekeeping. Participants discover a powerful sense of responsibility and belonging, building purpose one mentor, one mentee, and one hive at a time.
Our structured program guides Mentees through:
Year one
Learning the buzz with your Mentor
You’ll roll up your sleeves and get your hands sticky (in the best way). This is all about mastering the basics — from suiting up to checking your first hive. You’ll shadow your Mentor, ask questions, and start feeling at home with the bees.
Year two
Spreading your wings
Now that you've got the rhythm of the hive, it's your turn to lead. You'll manage your own colony with your Mentor still in your corner. Expect a boost in confidence, hands-on independence, and lots of sweet moments (yes, honey too).
Year three
Becoming a pillar of the hive
You're not just part of the community — you're helping shape it. Dive into advanced skills, share your wisdom, and maybe even become a Mentor yourself. The hive grows stronger because of you.
Our structured program guides Mentees through:
Year one
Learning the buzz with your Mentor
You’ll roll up your sleeves and get your hands sticky (in the best way). This is all about mastering the basics — from suiting up to checking your first hive. You’ll shadow your Mentor, ask questions, and start feeling at home with the bees.
Year two
Spreading your wings
Now that you've got the rhythm of the hive, it's your turn to lead. You'll manage your own colony with your Mentor still in your corner. Expect a boost in confidence, hands-on independence, and lots of sweet moments (yes, honey too).
Year three
Becoming a pillar of the hive
You're not just part of the community — you're helping shape it. Dive into advanced skills, share your wisdom, and maybe even become a Mentor yourself. The hive grows stronger because of you.
Our structured program guides Mentees through:
Year one
Learning the buzz with your Mentor
You’ll roll up your sleeves and get your hands sticky (in the best way). This is all about mastering the basics — from suiting up to checking your first hive. You’ll shadow your Mentor, ask questions, and start feeling at home with the bees.
Year two
Spreading your wings
Now that you've got the rhythm of the hive, it's your turn to lead. You'll manage your own colony with your Mentor still in your corner. Expect a boost in confidence, hands-on independence, and lots of sweet moments (yes, honey too).
Year three
Becoming a pillar of the hive
You're not just part of the community — you're helping shape it. Dive into advanced skills, share your wisdom, and maybe even become a Mentor yourself. The hive grows stronger because of you.
Our Mentorship Program connects active and retired first responders and military personnel with experienced beekeepers. In a supportive, hands-on environment, you'll learn the full scope of beekeeping, from hive assembly to honey harvesting.
This structured program guides Mentees through Years 1, 2, 3, and beyond.
Our Mentorship Program connects active and retired first responders and military personnel with experienced beekeepers. In a supportive, hands-on environment, you'll learn the full scope of beekeeping, from hive assembly to honey harvesting.
This structured program guides Mentees through Years 1, 2, 3, and beyond.
Years of experience
Years of experience
Years of experience
Bee hives created
Bee hives created
Bee hives created
Mentees
Mentees
Mentees
Bees
Bees
Bees
Meet the hive
Our team believes in helping those who have already helped so much. Below are the team members from service backgrounds and private sector alike.
Ash Murrell
Director and Creative Lead at AMP Visual Media, a rebellious, bold & Canadian creative studio who believes in stories, client connections and embracing the future as humanly as possible.
Dr. Erica Shelley
Beekeeping Expert & Industry Liaison. As a founding member of Operation BeeStrong, CEO and Founder of Best For Bees, and Executive Director of Organic Council of Ontario, Erica brings unparalleled expertise. She guides beekeeping principles, learning pathways, and leads sponsorship initiatives for the project.
Const. Jason Marcotte
Mentor Trainer. The inspiration behind this program, Jason focuses on recruiting and training mentors and shares inspiring personal testimonials.
Ash Murrell
Director and Creative Lead at AMP Visual Media, a rebellious, bold & Canadian creative studio who believes in stories, client connections and embracing the future as humanly as possible.
Dr. Erica Shelley
Beekeeping Expert & Industry Liaison. As a founding member of Operation BeeStrong, CEO and Founder of Best For Bees, and Executive Director of Organic Council of Ontario, Erica brings unparalleled expertise. She guides beekeeping principles, learning pathways, and leads sponsorship initiatives for the project.
Const. Jason Marcotte
Mentor Trainer. The inspiration behind this program, Jason focuses on recruiting and training mentors and shares inspiring personal testimonials.
Let's get in touch
Whether you're looking to become a Mentor, join as a Mentee to learn the art of beekeeping, volunteer your skills, support our mission financially, or simply have questions – we'd love to hear from you. Let's build something amazing, one hive at a time.
info@beestrong.ca
