The welcoming of three new Eagle Scouts is a rare distinction for a community, and for this reason a feeling of pride abounded at Farmingdale Boy Scout Troop 601's recent Court of Honor Ceremony. However, as the Nassau County Boy Scout official most familiar with Farmingdale has revealed, the accomplishment is only the latest in a strong tradition of scouting here.

"The troops in Farmingdale are very good. They're very organized, their leadership is very good, they do a lot of outdoor camping," Robert Courtlangus, senior district executive for the Theodore Roosevelt Council of the Boy Scouts of America said in a recent interview. The council, which is divided into districts, oversees all of Nassau County's Boy Scouting. Farmingdale's district, the Roughrider district, includes the area from Meadowbrook Parkway east to the Suffolk border, and that between the Northern and Southern State parkways.

According to Courtlangus, over the years, Farmingdale's four Boy Scout troops have produced a total of close to 80 Eagle Scouts. "This is phenomenal out of 4 troops," he said. This year's new Eagle Scouts from Troop 601 are Sean Pokress, Jason Schneider, and Charles Rozakis. Farmingdale's 4 Boy Scout troops, which consist of 110 members, produced a total of 12 Eagles in the past year - 10 percent of the members. Only 2 percent of all Boy Scouts in the U.S. attain Eagle annually.

In addition, last year, the troop welcomed 6 Scouts to the status of Eagle, a lifetime honor earned through an arduous series of merit achievements.

Much of the strength of Farmingdale's Scouting, which stresses such values as leadership, self-respect and patriotism, Courtlangus noted, lies in its committed adult volunteers, and the community organizations which sponsor troops, such as Farmingdale Rotary, Police Activity League (PAL), Sons of Italy, and local houses of worship. "They believe in the community, and the youth in the community," he said of the sponsors. "That's why there are so many packs and troops in that area."

In addition to producing a large number of Eagle Scouts, Farmingdale's troops are distinguished in other ways. Cub Scout Pack 601 has 125 members, while Nassau County troops, on average, have between 45 and 50. Also, 40 percent of all Webelos - fourth and fifth-grade Cub Scouts who are preparing to become Boy Scouts - successfully make the transition. The average percentage for Nassau County communities is between 50 and 60. Farmingdale's troop leaders also tend to remain committed to the duty. For example, Hank Szlepcsik, commonly known as Mr. Hank, has been with Troop 41 for over 40 years. Troop 41 is also one of the oldest troops in Nassau County. Furthermore, membership in Farmingdale has grown by at least 7 percent each year during the last three years.

According to Courtlangus, the strength of Farmingdale's Scouting is an indicator of the strength of the community. "The volunteers are right there, and they're dedicated to the program - to the youth of their community. They get involved in their community," he said. "Scouting reflects the community and the community reflects Scouting."