BuddyPress.org

The skeleton component does works if you activate it, it does provide some basic functionality as an example.

The error you are getting sounds like the plugin is being activated twice. Delete the plugin and reload the plugin admin page. This should make sure it is completely deactivated.

Re-upload the plugin – make sure bp-example.php is in the plugin folder root, along with the /bp-example/ folder. Try re-activating.