Using only troop tents

[Lynda J]

Boys sleep under the stars all the time. When boys do their OA Ordeal they have to sleep out under the stars.
Boys can not sleep with an adult that is not their parent or legal guardian.

Adults of the opposite sex can not sleep together unless t hey are married.

Adults of the same sex can share a tent.

[OldGreyBear]

Those of you who have been to Philmont, do they let scouts sleep alone in tents or do they force tent mates?

[summertop]

I had heard "word of mouth" that scouts should not tent alone. I just checked and I was unable to find any such regulation in the Guide To Safe Scouting.

So, I would have to say it is OK.

[JazerNorth]

Buddy system should apply at all times. If they must have a buddy everywhere, why not in a tent? I let them know that a buddy in a tent helps when an animal gets into their tent. This way, both can be awake and yell at the same time.

JazerNorth

[momma_bee]

Adults of the opposite sex can not sleep together unless they are married. To Each OTHER

Just thought I'd clarify.

[gwd-scouter]

Good post mommabee!

[vpalango]

Buddy system should apply at all times. If they must have a buddy everywhere, why not in a tent? I let them know that a buddy in a tent helps when an animal gets into their tent. This way, both can be awake and yell at the same time.

JazerNorth

Set up your individual tent next to you're buddy's tent. Not a problem. In our troop, we've set the policy that once a patrol "graduates" from a new-scout patrol, they can use thier own tents at thier option. I have several scouts in those patrols who own 1-man tents that they like to sleep in, and so they do.

YIS

[mhjacobson]

From BSA "Tours and Expeditions" (1999 - last printing), page33, "Equipment": "Avoid large bulky tents. Use lightweight two man tents with netting and flooring. . ."

Pg 36 "Group Gear for Backpacking" "Tent or tarp, nylon, lightweight or improvised from 10-by-12-foot plastic sheeting, rigged as "A" tent or lean-to for two men. . ."

Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills (course syllabus) skills questionnaire (Tenderfoot requirement 9): "Explain why we need a buddy system in Scouting".

There are other obtuse referrals to the requirement that there be a buddy system at all times, including the statement that the Buddy system is to be used when going away from the group on a washroom break!

One could assume from all of this, that there should be a buddy system when assigning tents. What about the odd man out, when there are not an even number of scouts? Remember what we do in Safe Swim Defense -- we have a "buddy" group of 3.

What seems to be most important is not who owns the tent, but the fact that there seems to be strong inclination to have at least two scouts in each scout tent!

[FrankJ]

At Northern Tier the interpreter tents alone. If this is an issue for BSA they wouldn't. At summer camp the tents are generally two man, but I have never seen a rule that every tent must have two occupants.

If your adult leaders are different sexes and not married to each other: they would be required to sleep alone.

If your buddy is in the area the thin wall of a typical tent will not mask a call for help. Yout ipod might, but that is a different topic.

[mhjacobson]

Buddy policy is for SCOUTS not adults and not staff and counselors!

[ASM-142]

Buddy policy is for SCOUTS not adults and not staff and counselors!

If staff are scouts themselves (under 18 ) then the buddy system does apply to them as well.

As for adults it is a good idea to follow the buddy system for your own safety as well as lead by example.

[hops_scout]

Buddy policy is for SCOUTS not adults and not staff and counselors!

That's interesting. I don't think I've ever read "SCOUTS must use buddy system, but adults can do what they want." Check with your local aquatics director, I'll betcha they will tell you otherwise.

[evmori]

Buddy policy is for SCOUTS not adults and not staff and counselors!

That's interesting. I don't think I've ever read "SCOUTS must use buddy system, but adults can do what they want." Check with your local aquatics director, I'll betcha they will tell you otherwise.

I would agree hops. And I don't know that I've ever seen that the buddy system MUST be used in regard to tenting.

[EDGE]

In our troop we require all scouts to use the troop tents and tent with another scout until they reach Star. As a reward and incentive for earning Star we give them a certificate towards the purchase of their own tent. Once they are Star they can tent alone or with another scout and use their own tent if they wish. If they tent with another scout and they want to use their own tent then that scout must be Star or above.

As far as the Buddy system it states in the handbook "You keep track of what your buddy is up to, and he knows at all times where you are and how you are doing". It does not say that you are joined at the hip and have to be within 2 feet of each other at all times. Ofcourse in the water you better be close enough to raise hands when buddy check is called. I don't feel that knowing that your buddy is in the tent next to you would be a violation of the buddy system.

[evmori]

I don't feel that knowing that your buddy is in the tent next to you would be a violation of the buddy system.

Oh no! Not a buddy system violation! Grab the babies & head to the hills!

[mhjacobson]

To those wonderful wet heads! We are taking about the buddy system in sleeping in TENTS. I have never heard of sleeping in tents in the water!

Let me give you a cogent example: Troop camping. Has the two leaders required by YPT and BSA, but one is female and the other male and they are not married. They are prohibited from sharing a tent! But they are required to be at the capsite all night.

Solution: One adult per tent, while the Scouts are two per tent, and BSA policy is not abridged!

Try to put that in your bathing suits!

[FrankJ]

No where in G2SS is there anything about sleeping alone in tent. If it was a safety issue it would be there. If you don't want scouts sleeping alone in your troop: Go to the PLC and convince them to make policy.