About NVSPS 
Who We Are
Northern Virginia Sail and Power Squadron (NVSPS) is a local boating
club (also known as America's Boating Club Northern Virginia) that is part of the
United States Power Squadrons® (USPS®)
a national, non-profit organization with over 450 local chapters called
squadrons.
The mission of the USPS is to maintain, enhance and promote USPS
as the premier boating organization dedicated to ‘Safe Boating through Education’.
Our organization is dedicated to making recreational
sail and power boating safer and more enjoyable by providing education,
civic service and social activities.
NVSPS is part of District 5,
which encompasses the mid-Atlantic region of the east coast.
See a regional map of D5's many squadrons
here.
Most of our members live in the Northern Virginia area (see area map here) and enjoy boating on the waters of Potomac River
and Chesapeake Bay. Many are experienced offshore cruisers and some
have even circumnavigated the globe! On the other hand, many of our
members are waiting to buy their first boat and want to learn as much
as they can before their first cruise on the water.
Want to join? Active membership is available here.
Once a member, you can pursue more advanced
courses or join us on the water: rendezvous
and cruises are scheduled during the boating season.
Many of our activities are on land, too! Every month, our members
have the opportunity to enjoy a presentation--fishing, diving, favorite
Chesapeake Bay haunts, and related Coast Guard activities have been
presented in past programs.
Our boating season starts and ends with picnics and cookouts with
activities for members of all ages--including youngsters. The holiday
season finds us celebrating with a more formal dinner dance. Want
to know more? Check out our schedule of activities.
Members who volunteer their time to helping with squadron management or activities are rewarded with merit marks.
These are more fully explained here.
In case you are wondering, NVSPS is not a military organization and
has no direct relationship to the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
However, a common interest in promoting safe boating has NVSPS members
teaming with USCG, CG Auxiliary, and the the National Ocean Services
division of NOAA.
Becoming a Member
There are lots of reasons to join Power Squadron. Besides the social and community
service aspects, you gain access to our advanced boating courses.
You'll also receive discounts on insurance, software, moving boxes and more.
Click here to view our full
member benefits.
Want to become a member of USPS and our squadron? Have a friend who wants to join?
Click to see the
application form you'll need to fill out. If you have further questions, feel free to contact our Membership Chairperson using email at
mem@nvsps.org.
Documentation
Find our By-Laws, Charter, and other historical documentation in our squadron archives.
Our History
The NVSPS was chartered May 14, 1967.
For our 40th anniversary, a
history of NVSPS was assembled.
In it you will find details about the formation of the squadron,
its leaders across the years, and essays by past commanders.
Recently we published an updated 50th Anniversary yearbook