Buddy System!!!

[hops_scout]

Just thought I would make it VERY clear that the buddy system is EXTREMELY important. Most probably already know that, but it's still good to put it out there.

What do you think?

[Guneukitschik]

Not only is it extremely important from a safety standpoint....it's REQUIRED

[wagionvigil]

The Buddy System is discussed in most outdoor merit badges Like Climbing,Hiking,Cycling etc

[t305spl]

The buddy system is extremely important. And right not I think it is enforced pretty well.

[ASM-142]

In my last few years going to summercamp I can not tell you how many boys I found walking by themselves without a buddy. When I ask them where their buddy is all I get is a blank look on their face.

They all know what the buddly system is but they do not think it always applies to them - especially at summercamp

[BM_Crawford]

Alot of boys at summer camp take badges that other no one else in their troop is taking. In that case there really isnt much for them to say. That happens alot with everyone's different interests.

[ASM-142]

The boys may be taking different badges but usually from my experience there badges are in the same area in which the buddy system could work

[BM_Crawford]

Yea in most cases, I understand your point of view, I'm just saying that some times there is no one going to the same area.

[ASM-142]

In that case they need to find another way to get to the activity. 2 adults or a scout from the next camp site. They should not be without a buddy

[evmori]

Walking to a merit badge class at summer camp is different than taking a hike. There are many occasions a Scout might have to walk alone at summer camp. I don't consider this a breakdown of the buddy system. And I'm not even sure the buddy system applies to this situation!

[ASM-142]

Every leaders guide that I have ever seen from summercamp includes that the buddy system must be used at all times.

[evmori]

Every leaders guide that I have ever seen from summercamp includes that the buddy system must be used at all times.

Except for swimming & hiking at summer camp, I don't really see the necessity. If a Scout want to go to the trading post & no one else (including adults) wants to go then the Scout should be able to go by himself. As long as the SM & other adults know where he is I think this is fine.

[ASM-142]

Then why have a policy in a Leaders Guide? Should we be able to pick and choose what we want to follow?

[evmori]

Then why have a policy in a Leaders Guide? Should we be able to pick and choose what we want to follow?

If it is a policy in the leaders guide then it must be followed. I just don't see the necessity for Scouts to not be able to walk around by themselves if they need to.

Are you sure it's not just a guideline?

What we do is have a sign-out sheet at the SM's tent. If a Scout OR LEADER is going somewhere other than a merit badge class, they must sign out which includes time, where they are going & why. When they come back, they must sign-back in.

[ASM-142]

I have been to summercamps in NJ, NJ, PA, and RI and all have it as a policy not guideline.

You may need to check where you to go to camp to make sure that it is not a policy.

[BM_Crawford]

We too have a buddy board for our troop it works out nice.

ASM-142 look to reason. We have stated it is very important to have a buddy at all times but sometimes you just have to go do something you know thats life. They should use the buddy system as often as physically possible but it should not perhibit you from enhancing your scouting education. There were times where I had to go to a merit badge meeting myself. Yes thats right no one was able to go to my badge with me but I didn't not get the badge because of a nervy fear of the buddy system I bucked up and went and now I have that badge.

[commish3]

So Brian, are you saying that when rules are inconvenient, then you just need to put them aside temporarily? Doesn't that pretty much make them suggestions instead of rules?

If you couldn't get a buddy wouldn't the safer thing (as well as the courteous and obedient thing) to have done would be to reschedule the meeting for a time when a buddy was available?

Recently a very tragic event in Utah took place when a scout with the permission of his father (one of the assistant scoutmasters) headed back to camp alone a short two hundred yards away in broad daylight to change into some dry shoes. He has not been seen since.

Would you want to be that adult who gave a boy permission to go off alone and have to explain to his parents why he is not returning, and why you didn't require him to have a buddy as the program directs?

"Anyone who can be trusted in little matters can also be trusted in important matters."

Parents trust us to take care of their most cherished possessions, if they cannot trust us to do something as basic as stay with a buddy, how can they trust us at all?

[BM_Crawford]

Sometimes you cant rescedual. Perhaps in a perfect world it would be that easy but sometimes there isnt anything to do. Thats the facts of life whether you like it or not.

If your travelling across a parade ground with hundreds of other people all over the place going to a merit badge and there is no way to reschedual your merit badge then yea you can forget the buddy system.

The biggest problem in scouting today is that people are too over obsessive about rules and regulations and forget what scouting is about. Live a little. If you want to spend your scouting days in a hole, worrying about all the what if's, be my guest.

[commish3]

Well that certainly is one way to look at it Brian. But may I offer an alternative point of view. Good leaders don't worry about "what if's", they anticiapte them, and address them as part of the plan. That way the goal and purpose of the activity can still be met but in a thoughtful and prepared manner.

There is risk in many of the things we do in scouting. We use knives and axes, but we train in their use and take precautions against things we know will likely cause injury before we use the tool.

We canoe through rapids but we train first and follow methods that we know are the best way to enjoy the adventure but control the risk.

We build fires but we understand the safety procedures first and we take steps that we know will minimize known dangers.

We still use tools, and we still canoe, and we still build fires, all without living in a hole. The Buddy System is no different.

We know that there are people in the world who would harm children. We know what they look like. They look like you, and me, and every person you see each day. These people do not wear signs to identify them and they can be anyone. They can even be an adult at summer camp.

We also know that rarely do they approach children in groups even as few as two people. We know that the we have a responsibility to do what we can to protect other peoples children who are in our temporary charge.

The buddy system is a very simple, very effective, and very basic precaution that can literally save a child's life.

I am doubtful that telling a leader to "live a little" by ignoring the protection of someone else's child is advice that many experienced leaders are going to model themselves by.

[t305spl]

Brian, the buddy system works its been proven to work. Not only scout groups use it. There is never a time when you can not reschedule or find a buddy. You can go to another troops site and ask if anyone in their troop is going. But the buddy system is not something to negotiate. That was a great point by commish the parents do look up to all the leaders to keep their children safe. We can not put aside an easy and effective thing because someone dosent feel they need it.
Of Course at the time you will feel you dont need it. But what happens when you get hurt or something and you need someone to help you immediatly but no one is there because you didnt think you need the system.
The scout motto is "Be Prepared" we are not worrying about "what ifs" but we are preparing to handle everything we can.
A scout is Obedient. If anyone sets a rule or regulation it is our job as scouts to follow it not go around it. That sets a poor example.