[ScubaSteve]

Yesterday, my girlfriend and I went to a workshop to learn about beekeeping as we have been talking about starting a couple hives come springtime. This workshop was in somebody's backyard, using their hives and they had a professional beekeeper and some friends there teach about 20 of us. It was a really cool format, very informative and best of all we got to see a real, living hive. We got to see the bees close up, learned the biology and their INSANE social structure (if you've never learned this I'd recommend it... so cool!).

And this got me thinking...

When I was first starting into reefing I was really overwhelmed. There was a ton of reading, lots of slang to decipher and, without someones set-up in front of me, it was difficult visualize the proper way to set-up a tank. Worst of all, when answering all the questions I had, I realized that for every two reefer's there are three opinions on how things should be done. Had I not stumbled onto this site, I'd have been pretty lost and pretty unaware for the huge community of people in the hobby.

I think it would be great for us to organize some "Reefkeeping 101" classes and get some of the new people here, people considering reefing and anyone else interested to get together at someone place for an informative talk. We could teach the basics (set-up, husbandry, coral/fish biology, etc), see a living tank up close, as well as introduce people to the reefkeeping community.

There's a lot we could teach people and a lot of different classes we could do if people felt so inclined. We could do everything from general classes on the basics to more specific and advanced topics. We could find some local experts to come in. Some of us who have been around for a bit could donate some frags or have them available by donation. We could advertise at the local shops. Maybe get a local shop to sponsor? The possibilities are endless and I have a ton of ideas but... I'd like to hear from the rest of you.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, opinions and ideas. Also, if there is anyone who'd be interested in teaching a class like this with me and a few others, or participating in such a class or willing to donate some time in front of their tank for the class please chime in! I love to hold one at my place but I think it'd be hard to fit people in front of a square 40g and a 14g biocube.