At the heart of Scouting is a commitment to youth safety, leadership, and shared experiences. One of the simplest yet most important tools we use to safeguard our Scouts is the Buddy System.
Whether Scouts are hiking through the woods, heading to a merit badge station, or simply walking to the bathhouse at camp, having a buddy ensures that no youth is ever alone — and that someone is always nearby to help in an emergency.
What Is the Buddy System?
The following guidance is provided directly from Scouting.org:
The Buddy System
The buddy system is designed to provide an additional layer of safeguarding by ensuring no youth member is alone and that a buddy can get help in an emergency.
The buddy system is used whenever youth members are outside the line of sight of qualified adult leadership and specific activities where the buddy system is required for participation. Of note:
-
The adult unit leadership oversees and approves buddies.
-
Buddies are two and can also be three to prevent youth members from being alone.
-
A buddy pair cannot be mixed gender; where appropriate, a third youth must be added (for a buddy group of 3).
-
Youth siblings of the same gender may serve as buddies regardless of age with permission from their parents or legal guardians.
-
Except for siblings, it is recommended that the age gap between buddies be at most three years for all non-sleeping activities but must be no more than two years for all tenting.
-
When exceptional circumstances warrant, a parent or legal guardian may serve as a buddy for their child’s Scouting activities, but youth buddies meeting the above criteria, if available, are always preferred.
Why It Matters
The Buddy System isn’t just about safety — it’s also about teaching responsibility, looking out for one another, and building trust. These lessons stay with Scouts long after their time in the program.
Leaders and parents: please make time to review buddy pairings and reinforce expectations with your units. The Buddy System only works when we all make it a consistent part of our program.