Local Young Woman to Become One of First Female Eagle Scouts

Eliza Clegg has always wanted to be a Scout. In 2019, when the Boy Scouts, now known as Scouts BSA, removed the barriers to young women, she joined on the first day, and she has been an active Scout ever since. She expects to become one of the first female Eagle Scouts in the United States.

Since becoming a Scout, Eliza has hiked 30.3 miles, camped 23 nights, completed 31 service hours, and earned 30 merit badges. Now, she is excited to be the first Life Scout and Eagle Scout candidate in her troop. Eliza is currently at work on her Eagle Scout service project, a sizable undertaking that has her organizing and supervising large teams of volunteers to create an accessible outdoor gathering space for Concord St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Bethesda.

As an African American, it is very important to Eliza that Scouts BSA has made a sincere commitment to equality. Scouts BSA has introduced a diversity and inclusion merit badge which is required for the rank of Eagle Scout. Scouts BSA is reviewing every element of its programs to ensure diversity at every level of the organization, and applying standards that promote racial equality and denounce racism, discrimination, inequality, and injustice. Scouts BSA is also conducting a review of property names, events, and insignia to eliminate symbols of oppression.

Eliza’s service project, which she must complete to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, builds on BSA’s goal of inclusion. It will allow parishioners, including those with mobility impairments, to participate in church life. The team Eliza is supervising is currently braving the heat and the late afternoon rain storms to do the heavy labor necessary to prepare the ground to lay the bricks that will make up a 225 square foot patio. Once the patio is complete, the team will assemble and install three 6 foot benches and add plants and mulch to beautify the area.

Those who would like additional information or to volunteer to help with Eliza’s service project can email ElizasEagleScoutProject@gmail.com. More information about Eliza’s troop, Scouts BSA Troop 4 Bethesda, can be found at https://www.scoutsbsabethesda.org/. During the school year, Troop 4 meets 3 Mondays per month. The Scouts plan and lead these meetings along with monthly campouts and other outdoor activities. Annual summer activities include a week-long camp at Goshen Scout Reservation for the entire troop and an additional high adventure activity.