Ordinary Week

Event Phone: (713) 517-2204

Changing a young adult from a landsman to a seaman

Ordinary Week is developed and delivered by the Houston Squadron of the Americas Boating Club to help youth Squadron Members, who are also Sea Scouts, advance to the rank of Ordinary Sea Scout.  This program is open to other youth, maritime organization as well.  Ordinary is a tough rank to earn.  It begins a process of changing a young adult from a landsman to a seaman.  This transition requires two things: one, that a young adult possess a technical knowledge of boating, and second, that a young adult learns the required skills with no doubts.

Advancement
Your advancement is between you and your unit and unit leaders.  We will teach the knowledge, but you must demonstrate that knowledge to your leaders.  We will help you, but you will need to stand before your unit leadership and demonstrate what you have learned.

Event Description
We will meet for five (5) days (Monday thru Friday) 9 AM to 4:30 PM – July 12 to July 16, 2021.  There will be classes, hands on training, skills and assessments, fun activities, and a party on Friday afternoon.  We will meet at two locations because no one place will work for what you need to do.  We will provide each student a $50 voucher to attend a Squadron Kayaking class.

What is included
Each young adult will get a decent sandwich, chips and bug juice.  The flavor of the bug juice will change from day to day, although you may not be able to tell it from the color.  Everyone will have the opportunity to learn and complete some hard-to-get presentation on leadership.  Some other topics are:
The US Flag             Leadership               Safety
Marlin Spike             Ground Tackle          Navigation Rules
Piloting           Practical Deck Seamanship
Environment             Boating Safety Course
Joining America’s Boating Club and much more!

Event Costs
For young adults the cost is $80.  For that you will get:
4 Lunches
1 Pizza  Party
Boater safety course with license
Membership in America’s Boating Club
ACA L1 Introduction to Kayaking
80% of the way to Ordinary

For adults attending, the cost is $25.  For that you will get:
4 Lunches
1 Pizza  Party
We are offering the boater safety course if you are an adult and need the course.  The cost is $46.  The course is all-day on July 13 (Tuesday).  Please select that option at registration.

What to Bring
Note Book and Pen
Personal Cup

What to wear
This is not a Sea Scout event, hence the Sea Scout uniform is not appropriate.  The Americas Boat Club has uniforms, but they are dress uniforms and not suitable for what we are doing.  T-shirt, shorts, shoes (I‘m not sure about socks…) are pretty much what you will need.  Hawaiian shirts are welcome.  We will be outside in the cool of the morning and inside during the heat of the day.  There are some exceptions, but that is the goal.

Where we will be
We will be at two different places.  Please review the location schedule below.

Monday July 12 – Americas Boating Club Houston
6910 Bellaire Blvd. #15
Houston, Texas      77074

Tuesday July 13 – Sea Scout Ship 24 Scout Hut
2002 W. 43rd Street
Houston, Texas    77018

Wednesday July 14 – Americas Boating Club Houston
6910 Bellaire Blvd. #15
Houston, Texas      77074

Thursday July 15 – Sea Scout Ship 24 Scout Hut
2002 W. 43rd Street
Houston, Texas    77018

Friday July 16 – Sea Scout Ship 24 Scout Hut
2002 W. 43rd Street
Houston, Texas    77018