Jay F. Simancek

As a boy, Jay was involved in Scouting in the Detroit Area Council. He achieved the rank of First Class with eight Merit Badges before other activities started to interfere and make scouting harder to manage. He recalls some of the camping trips he had and traveling to Boundary Waters.

When Jay and Marianne's son asked to join Cub Scouts Jay found himself active in scouting once again. It was not long before he was the Cub Master of Pack 240, Ottawa District, Clinton Valley Council, while his son was a Cub Scout. He became more involved with the district, holding a position on the District Training Team. As his son bridged over into boy scouts, Jay continued his involvement with Troop 54, Ottawa District, Clinton Valley Council where he became an Assistant Scoutmaster, served on the Troop Committee, was the Advancement Chair and was the Popcorn Kernel. Jay also assisted the District as a Unit Commissioner, Assistant District Commissioner, Ottawa District Commissioner and a Member at large.

Jay was a member of the Beaver Den during his Cub Woodbadge training. He has also attended the Philmont Scout Ranch for Commissioners Training. He has received the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver.

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Jay's Scouting History

1982: Assistant Cub Master Pack 240, Ottawa District, Clinton Valley Council

1983: Cub Master Pack 240

1984: Cub Master Pack 240

1985: Cub Master Pack 240
Joined Troop 54, Ottawa District, Clinton Valley Council
Committee Member Troop 54
District Award of Merit

1986: Committee Member Troop 54
Assistant Scoutmaster
Scouter Key (Cub Master)

1987: Assistant Scoutmaster
Scouter Key (Unit Commissioner)

1988: Assistant Scoutmaster
Unit Commissioner
Cub Woodbadge

1989: Assistant Scoutmaster
Unit Commissioner

1990: Assistant Scoutmaster
Unit Commissioner
Assistant District Commissioner

1991: Assistant Scoutmaster
Unit Commissioner
Assistant District Commissioner

1992: Assistant Scoutmaster
Unit Commissioner
Assistant District Commissioner
District Committee Member

1993: Unit Commissioner
Assistant District Commissioner
District Committee Member
Silver Beaver

1994: District Commissioner
District Committee Member
Council Executive Board

1995: District Commissioner
Assistant District Commissioner
District Committee Member
Post Advisor

1996: District Commissioner
District Committee Member
Council Member at Large
District Committee Key

1997: Unit Commissioner
Assistant District Commissioner
District Committee Member
District Member at Large

1998: Unit Commissioner
Assistant District Commissioner
District Committee Member
District Member at Large

1999: Unit Commissioner

Assistant District Commissioner

District Committee Member

District Member at Large

2000: Assistant District Commissioner

District Committee Member

Council Member at Large

25 Year Veteran Scouter

James West Fellowship

2001: Assistant District Commissioner

District Committee Member

Council Member at Large

Heritage Society

2002: Assistant District Commissioner

District Committee Member

Council Member at Large

2003: Assistant District Commissioner

District Committee Member

Council Member at Large

1910 Society

2004: Assistant District Commissioner

District Committee Member

Council Member at Large

Council Endowment Committee

2005: Assistant District Commissioner

District Committee Member

Council Member at Large

Council Endowment Committee

2006: Assistant District Commissioner

District Committee Member

Council Member at Large

Council Endowment Committee

2007: Assistant District Commissioner

District Committee Member

Council Member at Large

Council Endowment Committee

2008: Assistant District Commissioner

District Committee Member

Council Member at Large

Council Endowment Committee

2009: Assistant District Commissioner

District Committee Member

Council Member at Large

Council Endowment Committee

2010: Clinton Valley Council / Detroit Area Council consolidated to form the Great Lakes Council

Council Member at Large

Council Endowment Committee

Assistant District Commissioner - Ottawa District

35 year Veteran Scouter

2011:  Assistant District Commissioner
District Member-at-Large 


2012:  Assistant District Commissioner
District Member-at-Large

2013:  Assistant District Commissioner
District Member-at-Large 

2014:  Assistant District Commissioner
Council Member-at-Large

2015:  GLSFC Endowment Committee
Council Member-at-Large 

2016:  GLSFC Endowment Committee 
Council Member-at-Large

2017:  GLSFC Endowment Committee 
Council Member-at-Large

  

2018:  GLSFC Endowment Committee 
Council Member-at-Large  
 

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A Letter From Jay Simancek

Do you know the saying “Comes full circle”? Let me tell you a story:

I was a Boy Scout back when there was only school, sports, church, and Boy Scouts. Then came cars and girls. I came up through the Cub ranks of Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Lion, Arrow of Light, and no Webelos. Then in Boy Scouts, I earned Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class. I might have earned only 8-12 Merit badges. My family camped every summer. I enjoyed camping, hiking and all that outdoor stuff. At sixteen when the cars and girls and, though I stayed in the Scouts until I was eighteen, I did not achieve any higher ranks.

Then when my son turned eight, he asked if he could become a Cub Scout. Why not, it was good experience for me. So I went to a pack meeting, met the Cubmaster and asked if I could help (my first mistake). He said only one meeting a month……… right! He also said the pack needed a Pinewood Derby Chairman, so I volunteered. And that led to Asst. Cubmaster and later Cubmaster.

My son then joined the Boy Scout program. He advanced through the ranks; Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star… which he let me know that he passed the highest rank I ever achieved. He then received Life and Eagle, always reminding me of my past achievements. He did not stop until he had turned 18 and earned four palms. His mom and I are very proud.

Now, last year my son’s son joined Cub Scouts. And guess what? He’s a Tiger Scout. So my son goes to the first pack meeting, meets the Cubmaster and asks how he can help (his first mistake). The Cubmaster says “The Pack needs……………….”

Do you know what the pack needs?

Yes my son’s first position in the Pack was the same as mine - a Pinewood Derby Chairman.

This is Scouting and it “Comes full circle”

Jay Simancek, Scouter

2008

*** As an additional note, Jay’s experience as an adult was the Pinewood Derby Chairman, Assistant Cubmaster and his first position with the district was on the Cub Scout Training Team. His son’s experience as an Adult Leader was an Assistant Den Leader and on the Pinewood Derby Committee, which lead to Assistant Cubmaster and volunteering at the Rancho Del Mar District as the District Training Chairman. Scouting does come full Circle. ***

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