America's Boating Club Houston offers some courses exclusively to members. These courses are designed to help further the cause of United States Power Squadrons - America's Boating Club by furthering the education of our members so that they can deliver on our promise.
Vessel Safety Examiner
We offer this course to all members who have completed (or are currently working on or preparing to take) the USPS Boat Handling course. A highly experienced Vessel Safety Examiner will guide you on everything you need to know in order to conduct a Vessel Safety Check and pass the Vessel Safety Examiner test. At the end of the class you will take the test, then complete five Vessel Safety Checks with a mentor, and be a certified Vessel Safety Examiner!
Don't have time to meet in person? Then there is a 'study at home' option! Everything you will need to study and take the online examination is found here. Make sure you let our VSC Chair know that you are doing an at home study. You still have to do the in-person safety inspections to become a certified inspector.
Kayaking Instructor
America's Boating Club Houston partners with American Canoe Association (ACA) to offer this course. This is an advanced course with the goal of certifying new ACA Kayaking Instructors to help with our Kayaking programs.
Basic Powerboat for Members
Basic Powerboat for Members is an 8-hour skill-based training program that covers the essential techniques of powerboat operation. The program is designed for new boaters, and requires no prior experience. Seasoned boaters will also learn new techniques, and increase their skills.
Amateur Radio License
An amateur radio license can add value to your on-the-water experiences. This course will teach what you need to know for the entry-level Technician Class License. The Technician license exam covers basic regulations, operating practices and electronics theory, with a focus on VHF and UHF applications. Morse code is not required for this license.
The amateur radio license does not qualify you for the Ship Radio Stations license. A separate application and fee is required for this maritime service.
Instructor Development
Want to become an Instructor? Take the Instructor Development Course. The emphasis is on enhancing presentation techniques and instructor skills and is designed to demonstrate interactive teaching methods focused on adult learning.
This is a great course for anyone who wants to teach a course with America's Boating Club Houston, and a required course if you want to teach the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Boater Safety course. If you are a teacher with credentials, there is an 'opt out' option, ask the Squadron Education Officer for details.
Operations Training in 3-Hours
Are you part of the leadership team with the Squadron? This is a required course, where you learn about your new role and your new responsibilities. The Ops Training in "3" -- A New Streamlined Way to Learn about USPS steps you through the local organization matrix, describes and defines roles and responsibilities, and helps you understand where there Squadron works with District and National positions and Officers.
We hope to encourage each of our members to become as involved as they can, so they can take advantage of all the opportunities and benefits of membership.
OT (Operations Training) is for new members and not-new members alike. Participating in the program every 1-3 years keeps our members up-to-date and current with the changes that take place, in the intervening years. Organizationally, we also expect Squadrons will benefit from having the skills and talents of members brought to bear for the benefit of the Squadron.