There’s a unique distinction shared by astronauts, presidents, and also by one Traverse City family – all have the “Eagle Scout edge.” 

For John Thorne, his father, sons and grandsons, the scouting life provided a foundation launching them into successful careers in business and athletics. Members of all four generations of the Thorne family attained Eagle Scout status (the highest rank a Boy Scout can earn) – John Thorne in 1954. Only roughly six percent of Boy Scouts earn the rank.

Michigan’s President Gerald Ford was an Eagle Scout, as well as 40 astronauts since 1959, with 180 astronauts coming from a scouting background.

“The scouting program in itself goes a long way toward helping people,” says Thorne, citing independence, motivation, commitment and maturity as just a few of the characteristics inherent to Eagle Scouts.

To reach Eagle Scout status, a scout must accrue 21 badges in areas including first aid, cooking, personal fitness, citizenship and environmental science. Personal recommendations must be garnered, and scouts must demonstrate they live by the principles in the Scout Oath and Law. Honor, duty to God and country, helping others and keeping one’s self, “physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight,” are paramount to the oath.

In his 32-year career with Dow Corning, Thorne hired many people, but it was those who’d been Eagle Scouts who had the advantage. “You know what you’re getting,” he says, noting that, all other things being equal, he knew it was the Eagle Scout who would be reliable and dependable, with self-worth and a sense of purpose.

Thorne cites team-building skills as another benefit scouts carry into both college and life. One example of the commitment and discipline fostered by the scouting life are exemplified by Thorne’s grandson, who, after earning both a swimming and academic scholarship to the University of Arizona, will try out for a spot on the U.S. Olympic swim team in June.

Every member in Thorne’s family is involved in outdoor activities including camping and hiking; the family has backpacked Isle Royale twice.

“Ongoing studies about the crucial role outdoor experiences have on a child’s life validate what the Boy Scouts have known since the organization was founded more than 100 years ago,” says Matt Thornton, Scout Executive for the Michigan Crossroads Council (MCC). The MCC is the Michigan headquarters for the Boy Scouts of America, serving boys in the Lower Peninsula.

Emergency Preparedness is also among the badges Eagle Scouts must earn, and surely served Thorne well when he encountered a bear while camping in Canada. Banging the pots and pans he was washing, he managed to chase the bear away.

Thorne wants parents to know that with all the challenges and extracurricular options kids have today, scouting provides not only grounding, but also “an edge, an advantage long after other things are gone.”