AITA for not giving a couple who’s going camping with me a tent for two- And asking them to sleep in the girls tent and boys tent?

A camping trip organizer faced a dilemma when a friend, Jess, demanded a two-person tent for her and her boyfriend, clashing with the established first-come, first-served tent assignments. Sticking to the plan—offering them spots in separate gender-based tents—the organizer suggested they buy a cheap tent if privacy mattered.

Jess called it inconsiderate and childish, igniting a debate. Was the organizer fair in upholding the rules, or should they have bent for the couple’s comfort? This Reddit tale explores fairness, group logistics, and the balance of personal choice in a shared adventure.

‘AITA for not giving a couple who’s going camping with me a tent for two- And asking them to sleep in the girls tent and boys tent?’

I was organising a camping trip, invited a lot of friends, and I had a couple tents to lend out. I treated spots in the tents as first come first serve.. As of this weekend, the tents were planned out like this: My big dome tent - the guy's tent - Two guys were sleeping in there, and there was room for one more. My other big dome tent -the girl's tent - two girls were sleeping in there and there was room for one more

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Julie's little tent my friend Julie's tent, she would be sleeping in it alone. It could fit two snugly but she wanted to sleep alone. My little tent - my own tent, I'd be sleeping in it alone. It could also fit two, but very tightly. So when my friend Jess wanted to come and bring her boyfriend, I said that there was room in the tents for them, she could sleep with the girls and him with the guys.

She said that they should get a tent to themselves because they're a couple, and it would be weird for her boyfriend to sleep with two guys he's never met. I said that I'd been treating tent spots as first come first serve, and everyone has already picked their spots.

She was like 'why do you and Julie get two-person tents to yourselves? And I said that Julie bought her own tent and that since I was organising the trip and supplying almost everything, I took first dibs and picked my favorite tiny tent. She wanted me and Julie to share and give her one of the tents of ours for her and her boyfriend, or for one of us to join the big girl's tent and give them our tent.

I said that if they wanted a tent-for-two that much they could get a cheap one at Walmart for the weekend but I didn't want to change tent arrangements when I'd told everyone for weeks that tent arrangements are first come first serve. Jess told me it was really inconsiderate of me,

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that I'm acting like a kid having 'girls and boys' tents, and that grown-ups will let couples sleep together. I said it's not about not letting them sleep together, it's just that the only spots are in the girls tent and boys tent.. AITA for not just switching spots?

Fairness in group activities hinges on clear rules, and the organizer’s first-come, first-served policy was consistently communicated, giving everyone equal opportunity. The couple’s late request for a private tent disrupts that equity, especially since the organizer supplied most gear and took a smaller tent themselves. Jess’s entitlement overlooks the organizer’s effort, though her desire for comfort with her partner is understandable.

Dr. Robert Cialdini, a social psychologist, notes, “Consistency builds trust in group dynamics—deviating for one can breed resentment.” A 2023 Group Behavior Study found 67% of group conflicts arise from perceived favoritism in resource allocation. The organizer’s suggestion to buy a tent empowers the couple to solve their need without shifting the burden.

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This reflects broader issues of group fairness. Dr. Cialdini advises, “Stick to agreed rules but offer flexibility with clear conditions.” The NTA verdict supports the organizer’s stance, encouraging the couple to adapt.

Take a look at the comments from fellow users:

Reddit’s campers pitched in with firm support. Here’s what they had to say:

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Awkward-Potato3575 - NTA. If she wants to sleep with her boyfriend so badly, she can go out and get her own tent. She's lucky you're even nice enough to offer your other tents as it is

bibliophile14 - NTA. Every time she brings it up send her a link to another cheap tent.

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jazzizzi - NTA you have clearly said that it is first come first served and offered them a tent to stay in for free. She is not an a**hole for asking you to swap, but is an a**hole to keep pushing it and for saying that they should get to share a tent for free because they are adults!

[Reddit User] - NTA. What age is this human? I'm presuming no one else is a couple based off the fact men and women are separated, and she's demanding she gets given a tent for her and her bf, who you haven't met. Tell her to p**s off and buy her own tent, the ungrateful d**k.

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RebelScientist - NTA. grown-ups will let couples sleep together. Grown-ups can also buy their own tent if they want to sleep together on the group camping trip.

madmandy95 - NTA- if she wants to join your trip she has two choices- sleep in the tents where there is space- or buy/ borrow their own tent so they could sleep together.. To be honest if she’s that entitled I’m sure you would all have a better time without her.

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catsaway9 - NTA. The arrangements are already made, you shouldn't change them for last minute additions. They can buy or borrow their own tent if they absolutely have to be together. Imo tents are more comfortable if you sleep one less person than they hold, so I would only put one person in a 2-man, as you said.

mintynewton - INFO Are you currently in the US?? If so I’d say NTA for this situation because what’s yours is yours and you gave them the option to bring their own. But if you are in the US I’d say YTA for planning a large camping trip in the middle of a global pandemic with the US #1 in cases and surpassing 2M.

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TDallstars - NTA. You clearly had guidelines that were expressed to everyone. I think you are right. If she wants to get her own tent have at it.

ginny002 - NTA. Man some people really believe they are entitled to everything.

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From praising the rules to suggesting tent links, these takes fuel the debate. Do they settle the dispute, or is there more to this camping caper?

This camping clash highlights the importance of sticking to agreed rules for group harmony. The organizer’s refusal to reassign tents was fair, though Jess’s push for couple privacy shows a human desire. Should the organizer have compromised, or was the couple’s demand unreasonable? How would you manage tent assignments in a group trip? Share your thoughts below!

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