Local scout meets world explorer at national jamboree

EXPLORER-INTRAINING— Agoura Hills Eagle Scout Jeff Lyon, middle, met with world-famous explorer Steve Fossett, right, at the recent National Scout Jamboree in Virginia. Jeff’s father, Douglas Lyon, stands proudly next to his son. Eagle Scout Jeff Lyon, 16, of Agoura Hills, received more than a camping experience at the National Scout Jamboree held recently at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. He met record-setting explorer and adventurer Steve Fossett.

Fossett, 62, visited the jamboree, including the subcamp named for him. The exploring theme of this year’s jamboree is based on the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the Explorer’s Club honored 20 members, many of whom were Scouts, by naming a subcamp for each one.

“It was quite a surprise to have a subcamp named for me,” Fossett said.

Fossett is a fellow of the Explorers Club, the Royal Geographical Society and an honorary member of The Adventurers Club. His many records include the fastest balloon flight, first solo balloon flight around the world, fastest sailing time around the world, and first solo non-stop airplane flight around the world without refueling, and records in gliding and endurance sports.

Next year, Fossett will endeavor to fly nonstop 4,000 miles farther than any plane or balloon has flown without refueling—and set a record for the longest distance in flight.

A lifelong scout, Fossett achieved the Eagle Scout rank at age 13. “I started mountain climbing with the troop in Southern California when I was 12. I thought I’d do it indefinitely, but then I found other challenges,” Fossett said.

The “challenges” led to a successful business career and then to exploring, which Fossett calls “a hobby that came from my Scouting experiences.”

When Jeff became an Eagle Scout, he received a personal letter from Fossett. At the jamboree, Jeff told Fossett the letter was inspirational.

“Your letter changed my life. It’s made me want to try new things and exploring is part of it,” said Jeff.

Fossett was clearly pleased.

“As a Scout, I learned how to set goals and achieve them,” said Fossett. “Being a Scout also taught me leadership at a young age when there are few opportunities to be a leader. Scouting values have remained with me throughout my life, in my business career and now as I take on new challenges.”

For more information about the jamboree, please visit the website www.bsajamboree.org.