Jeffrey A. Simancek

Jeffrey begin his scouting experience as a Cub Scout in Pack 240, Clinton Valley Council where he earned his Webelos and Arrow of Light awards. He also earned his God and Family award. As a Boy Scout in the Clinton Valley Council, Ottawa District, Troop 54, Jeff earned his Eagle Scout Rank in May of 1990 at 16 years of age and went on to earn 4 palms, the fourth palm two days before he turned 18. He was also a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow where he participated on the ceremony team. As a Boy Scout Jeff served as an Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Scribe, Quarter Master, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader and Junior Assistant Scout Master. When Jeff turned 18, he joined the adults as an Assistant Scout Master. During his college years Jeff became a member at large and was not registered in scouting for a while.

Jeff went to the National Scout Jamboree in 1989 with the East Central Region, Clinton Valley Council, Troop 2018. He was the troops Chaplain’s Aid. He attended again in 1993 with East Central Region, Clinton Valley Council, Troop 239 as the Third Assistant Scout Master.

Jeff’s memories of Scouting bounce around from Cub Scouts to Order of the arrow, back to Cubs to Boy Scouts, to experiences he has with his sons Pack. The common theme is that almost every aspect of his life was touched by Scouting at some level. The phrase “once a Scout, always a Scout,” comes to bear here.

Jeff recalls as a Boy Scout sitting on a bed in the white soap box house of Michael Joseph Anuta looking at all the service pins and patches his Great-Grandfather had. There are memories and stories he can recall, but few of them truly involve his Great Grandfather. Most of those memories are stories shared via letters and conversations.

Most of the memories Jeff has about scouting are more of the ironical quirks of the system back then and what he would call life altering moments. Jeff recalls as a Cub Scout the Pinewood Derbies as every Scouter does. He remembers winning 3rd in his Pack and 4th in the Ottawa District race for his age group. He still has the car and several ribbons that won. He also recalls how competitive the parents were with the Pinewood Derby as well. Jeff remembers one parent who worked for one of the “Big 3” automobile manufacturer who put their car through several tests, including a wind tunnel test. Here is the irony... the car lost. Another parent drilled a hole front back to front of the car and used BB’s for the weight. The expectation was that the BB’s would give a little push to the car in hopes to make it faster, it didn’t.

Other events during Cub Scouts was his den helping a presentation at an event on building Pinewood Derby cars and his den building a Klondike sled. One of the more ironical moments was his transition from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, back when he was a Cub Scout, the rank progression was based on the age, not the grade of the scout. Jeff being excited and completing his Arrow of Light early, transitioned into Boy Scouts before the end of the school year, never going though the official “cross-over” ceremony. That was not a big deal because he ended up playing the role of Akela for the cross-over for many years during his scouting career.

As a Boy Scout, Jeff went through many of the normal changes and debates scouts go through. Asking himself, “should I stay or play sports?” “Should I stay or get a job?” “What will others and my girlfriend think about me being in Scout?” Thankfully every time there was a strong debate someone was there for him. Names such as John Snider his Senior Patrol Leader and Eagle Scout at the time, his Father and Mother, his Great Grandfather, Scouting friends and mentors, someone was always there to say the right thing.

Receiving his Eagle Scout when he was 16 years old, it gave Jeff more freedom to slow down in his scouting life. He continued to work on Merit Badges being awarded a total of four Palms. “The fourth would not have happened if it was not for my father,” Jeff said. He goes on to say that it was right before his 18th birthday when his father was talking to him about a couple Merit Badges. His dad said the right thing at the right time, he simply said, “… The highest recorded in the Troop is 3 palms. Do you just want to leave the Troop or do you want to leave a legacy?” That comment has been part of Jeff’s philosophy since that moment. In many of his groups, chores and activities, and employment he thinks to himself, “Do I want to do my job, or do I want to lead the job and leave a legacy?” This keeps Jeff going in many avenues of his life and reminds him to always put forth his best effort.

According to Jeff, among the many memories of Scouting one that he will never forget was his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. “To have all my family there, together for that day, is something one never forgets.” At his Eagle Scout Court of Honor, He had his immediate family on the “stage” with him, and his Great-Grandfather, Michael Joseph Anuta, pinned the Eagle Scout Medal on his uniform. Looking at pictures of the party afterwards with all my Grandparents and Great Grand Parents is an image that stays in Jeff’s mind.

Along with his achievements in Troop 54, Jeff has some fond memories of the network built with his involvement with the Order of the Arrow. Jeff help to start a dance team that the O-A would be able to use in the future and participated on the Ceremonial Team. He also had the chance to attend the 1989 National Scout Jamboree at Fort AP Hill in Virginia as a Scout. He attended the 1993 National Jamboree as an Assistant Scoutmaster. During the 1985 National Jamboree Jeff and his family partook as visitors. “Each trip was a different experience, “Jeff recalls. The difference in involvement in Scouts at the time affects what you get out of the event.

Now as an adult with a son in the Scouting Organization that viewpoint has changed. Jeff became involved as an Assistant Den Leader for Pack 3224, and Assistant Cubmaster with Pack 645. He also quickly volunteered to help his District serving as the District Training Chair and now the District Program Chair. It has given Jeff a chance not only to relive some of his memories as a Scout, but also to make an impact on the future leaders of the Scouting Organization.

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