Claire Howell is the first girl from Alameda to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America’s national Scouts BSA (formerly Boy Scouts) program.

Claire, 17, received her Eagle Scout patch for her uniform at her Court of Honor ceremony Sunday, March 13, at the Alameda Elks Lodge. Claire, a senior at Alameda High School (AHS), is a member of Alameda Scouts BSA Troop 1015. Troop 1015 officials and the Golden Gate Area Council of the national Scouts BSA awarded her the rank after a review on Dec. 26, 2021.

Claire became interested in joining her scout troop when she was a freshman. In February 2019, she learned Scouts BSA would start accepting girls. Claire’s road to Eagle Scout status was more challenging than her peers. Usually, scouts have about seven years to earn an Eagle Scout badge, but Claire had just three years because scouts need to earn the requisite badges before they turn 18. Claire turns 18 in April.
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his set Claire off an expedited mission to acquire the necessary badges. She earned badges for first aid to swimming. She attended two hours of meetings per week, one campout per month and week-long camping sessions every summer.

Claire also has a full slate as a student. She takes multiple advanced placement classes at AHS, dance lessons for an hour a day and daily cello practice for at least an hour.

Her mother, Jen, was a big help to Claire in her Eagle Scout pursuit. She is a Scouts BSA counselor for bird studies.

Alameda Scouts BSA Troop 1015 is becoming more accepting of girls. The troop now has 14 girls and about 38 boys. According to reports another Alameda girl is scheduled to become an Eagle Scout soon, followed by a third who is wrapping up her badges now.