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How To Make A Monkey Around Troop Kaper Chart and Troop Dues Holder
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Time to read 3 min
Never Struggle Planning Activities Again
Easy to use activity booklets for your troop meeting.Never Struggle Planning Activities Again
Easy to use activity booklets for your troop meeting.|
Time to read 3 min
Are you a new troop leader setting up your meeting space, or a seasoned leader looking for a fresh spin on troop jobs? Traditional poster boards work fine, but they can be awkward to transport and wear out quickly.
To keep things fun and interactive, here is a complete guide to making a 3D “Monkey Around” Tree Kaper Chart. Each scout gets their own monkey clothespin that "climbs" the tree to their assigned role.
Even better? The hollow tree trunk doubles as a secure, discreet container to collect troop dues and paperwork at the door.
A Kaper Chart is a visual system that outlines the chores, jobs, and responsibilities needed to keep a troop meeting running smoothly.
Rather than the leader handling clean-up or passing out supplies, rotating these jobs teaches girls personal responsibility, teamwork, and ownership of their troop space. Rotating tasks each meeting ensures everyone gets a turn to lead and lend a hand.
Base / Tree Trunk: 1 open-top, rigid plastic container (such as a large plastic beverage tub, wide-mouth plastic canister, or small bucket) with an open rim thin enough for clothespins to easily clamp onto.
Covering: Brown construction paper, kraft paper, or brown adhesive vinyl.
Foliage: Green cardstock or construction paper (heavy cardstock helps leaves support the clothespins).
Clips: Standard spring-loaded wooden clothespins (one per scout).
Adhesive: Hot glue gun (for securing leaves and clothespin heads) and glue stick or double-sided tape (for wrapping the canister).
Printables / Cutouts:
Girl Scout Promise & Law mini-scrolls (optional side panel).
Writing Tools: Black permanent marker.
Utility Knife: (Leader use only, for cutting the dues slot in the lid).
You can write these directly onto your cut-out leaves:
Promise & Law Leader: Starts the meeting and leads the group in the opening recitation.
Flag Bearer: Holds or leads the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supply Manager: Passes out scissors, glue, booklets, and materials for the day's badge activity.
Clean-Up Crew (Can use 2 leaves): Ensures tables are wiped down, floors are picked up, and scraps are in the trash.
Cheer / Snack Helper: Helps set out snack items or leads the closing friendship circle song.
Line Leader: Guides the troop during transitions from different areas of meeting space.
On Break / Day Off: A great leaf to include if you have more scouts than jobs for a specific meeting!
Select the Base: Choose an open-top plastic container with a clean, smooth lip so the clothespins can clamp securely directly around the top or along the upper rim.
Wrap the Trunk: Wrap your brown paper around the exterior of the plastic tub, leaving the top rim clear so clips can grip the edge cleanly. Secure it firmly with double-sided tape or hot glue.
Open Dues Drop: Leave the top completely open. This allows girls to drop meeting dues, coins, or folded permission slips directly inside the container as they arrive, with no lid
Cut leaf shapes out of sturdy green cardstock.
Label each leaf with one troop kaper job (or use pre-printed templates).
Glue the base of each leaf around the upper rim and mid-section of the brown canister, making sure the top tips of the leaves flare outward slightly.
On one side of the trunk, adhere a printed copy of the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Having this right on the table gives younger troops (Daisies and Brownies) a quick visual reference during opening ceremonies or while earning their Girl Scout Ways badge.
Print and cut out a monkey face for each scout.
Use hot glue to attach a monkey head to the pinch-end of each wooden clothespin.
Use a fine-tip permanent marker to write each girl’s name down the long wooden clip portion.
Whether you are kicking off a brand-new scouting year or simply need a fresh system to keep meeting chaos at bay, this 3D tree makes troop management both organized and playful. If a 3D canister setup doesn’t quite fit your meeting space, be sure to explore our other troop-tested kaper chart ideas right here on the blog—from simple pocket charts to portable ring clips—to find the perfect routine for your girls.
Enjoy every minute being a leader and continue to inspire your girls!
