Canoe Training

Several groups of volunteer instructors in the Houston area offer canoe training.  Many of the instructors are certified by both the American Red Cross and the BSA.   In most cases, completion of these training courses allow you to obtain canoe certification from both the ARC and the BSA.  Scouts completing many of these courses can also receive the Canoeing and Whitewater merit badges.

Rising Star Canoe Clinic – Rick Ales – Venture Crew 479

• ARC Fundamentals of Canoeing, and SHAC flat-water certification
• ARC Basic River course, and SHAC river certification

These courses are open to both scouts and adults.
The courses usually have an in-town session, followed by a weekend session near San Marcos.

Contact:     Rick Ales at  rickales@risingstar.net

Goose Creek Canoe Clinic – Mike Beard – Troop 208

• ARC Fundamentals of Canoeing, and SHAC flat-water certification
• ARC Basic River course, and SHAC river certification
• ARC Swift Water Rescue (for adults and older scouts)

These courses are open to both scouts and adults.
The courses usually have an in-town session, followed by a weekend session near San Marcos.
The Swift Water Rescue course is not required by the SHAC, but it is an excellent course and is especially good for adults planning to lead canoe trips on moving water.

Contact:     Mike Beard at  mbeard@thebeards.com

Deer Lake Canoe Clinic – by Northern Branch Office (NBO) Scout Training Team

• ARC Fundamentals of Canoeing course, and SHAC flat-water certification
• ARC Basic River course, and SHAC river certification
• ARC Kayak courses
• Various training to become an instructor

These courses are open to both scouts and adults.  The courses are also open to Girl Scouts and some other community groups.  A two-Saturday option is available for LDS units.
The flat-water courses are held on Deer Lake at Camp Strake.  The river course has an in-town session, followed by a weekend session usually held near San Marcos.

Contact:     training@scoutcpr.org
   or go to   www.scoutcpr.org/class.htm

Camp Strake Adult Canoe Training – by Camp Strake Camping Services

• SHAC Adult Flatwater Canoe Training (also get ARC FOC card)
• SHAC Adult Whitewater Canoe Training

These courses for adults scout leaders only.
Most courses are held on Deer Lake at Camp Strake, with the river courses held at other locations.
Course schedules are usually printed in the Scouter.

Contact:     Camp Strake Camping Services at 1-877-272-2267