The Buddy System
What is the buddy system? It’s basically the act of pairing up two individuals, (in our case, two scouts) together and having them work as a single unit. During scout camps I tend to pair up scouts who are working on the the same merit badges. They walk the trails together, cook together, and if one needs to use the latrine the other will patiently wait close by for her or his buddy to finish. Where ever your buddy goes, you go.
We teach this practice way back in Lions and Tiger Cubs. While the scouts are in these early dens, their adult “Akela” is their buddy. As they move on up to Wolf, Bear, and Webelos we pair them off with another Cub Scout in their same den. If we only have three cubs in the den, then we will have the three work as a buddy group.
Buddy systems are used in more places than you may expect. The United States Armed Forces practices the buddy system.
Air Force - Wingman
Army - Battle Buddies
Navy - Shipmates
Even some religious organizations like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints use the buddy system. Missionaries while on their mission, are always with their companion and are always together and never alone.
Why do we practice the buddy system? Number one - Safety. As a scout leader, you have a stewardship over the scouts to ensure that they are safe. If we are backpacking in the deep woods of the Uinta National Forest, the last thing I want to worry about is an injured or lost scout due to not being paired up with a buddy. Also, as a leader, you know the importance of two deep leadership and buddies through YPT.
Your buddy has your back and you have your buddies back. Watch our for, and help each other.
The challenge of who to pair with who will always come up. Friends will always want to pair up with each other. Sometimes I allow the pairing to occur naturally, and there are times that I will assign the buddy groups if I know that there will be some major goofing off between friend pairs. Use your best judgment as you will know the attitudes and characters of each of your scouts.
Have fun out there, be safe, and always stay with your buddy.