SQUADRON EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Tar River Sail andPower Squadron presently holds most of its educational courses at St. Peters School in Greenville. Other courses are held at the Episcopal Church in Chocowinity. The courses usually begin at 1900 and end at 2100.

The courses normally start in September and February or March. Some courses are designated as full-year (seven or eight months) starting in September and ending in April or May, such as Junior Navigation and Navigation. The rest of the courses are half-year and run for three to four months or less.

Courses are divided in two types---advanced grades and electives. The advanced grades are designed to be taken in sequence after Boating, beginning with Seamanship and progressing through Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigation and Navigation. A member who takes and passes the examination for the advanced grade course is awarded the title (or grade) or S, P, AP, JN, or N. A member’s grade is entered into his file, and the member may wear the appropriate grade insignia for the highest course passed on his or her uniform. The grade also appears after the member’s name on mailings and in the roster.

Courses enrollment is limited to USSPS members. A member of USPSâ can take a course with any Squadron. Members are notified of course schedules by meeting announcements and articles in the "Tar Paper".

There is a fee for each course that includes course material, processing, and examination costs. Fees for the course material including the examination fee are due at registration. All final examinations are sent to USSPS for correction. The member is notified by mail of the final grade. In the case of failure, re-examination can be arranged.

"USPSâ" is a registered Trademark of United States Power Squadrons