Girl Scout kaper charts give the girls jobs that teach responsibility, promote teamwork and sisterhood, and keep the meetings flowing.
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Girl Scout Kaper charts give the girls jobs that teach responsibility, promote teamwork and sisterhood, and keep the meetings flowing.
Girl Scout Kaper Charts Help Your Meetings Run Smoothly
No matter how old the girls in your troop are, from the youngest Daisy Scouts to the oldest Ambassadors, every person needs to have a part in running the meeting. While young girls will not participate in planning the activities you will be doing, they can help out in other ways.A guide for this is a Girl Scout kaper chart.A kaper is a chore that is assigned to each girl. This is one way for leaders to have decisions already made and not assign an arbitrary job to a scout. Can you actually remember who helped to pass out the papers two weeks ago or who was assigned to clean up duty? This takes the guesswork out of who has to do lead the Pledge of Allegiance and who leads the Friendship Song at the end of the meeting.
Why Use Girl Scout Kaper Charts?
The Benefits of Everyone Pitching In
There are many benefits for leaders who use this system of assigning chores. First of all, it keeps things organized and equal. A kaper chart prevents whining and cries of “It’s not fair! I don’t want to do that!”. Assigning tasks is not arbitrary, but done on a scheduled rotation. Kapers are not punishments, they are expectations. If a girl is assigned a job that she does not like one week, the next time you are together she can look forward to having a different job to do, as kapers rotate. Everyone has to pitch in, as there are no excuses when it comes to doing a chore.
It is also a valuable life lesson as each day passes, there may be things that we don’t want to do, but we must for the betterment of everyone. Sure, I don’t like to empty the dishwasher, but if I don’t, then dirty dishes will pile in the sink and create a mess, bring bugs, and have odors from food that is not washed away. So, I empty the dishwasher to prevent all of these things from happening!
Also, having jobs at each meeting teaches the girls patience. Sometimes, we actually have to wait to have a turn at a job. Another benefit is that girls have a sense ownership of the tasks they are assigned to do and a sense of pride when they complete the job.
Materials for Creating Your Girl Scout Kaper Charts
Kaper charts can be made simple or elaborate-it depends on the leader and how crafty she is and how much time she wants to devote to making her chart. One thing to bare in mind is that over the years, girls will come into your troop and others will leave. Whatever you create can easily be changed.
Therefore, it is important to create a kaper chart that can adjust for the natural ebb and flow of attrition that is a part of scouting. If you don’t do this, then you will need to make a new chart every year. Whatever you make, be sure to save your receipts so you can be reimbursed with your troop dues.
Library Pocket Cards
Here are a few that are available. The ones that the girls color in can be a sponge activity as girls come in the door and/or worked on as a troop activity for one of your first meetings.
Includes 30 pockets
Includes 48 pieces so it can be used for several years
Wooden Craft Stick People
Girls can use various craft materials to make an image of hersel.
More Ideas on How to Make Girl Scout Kaper Charts
Girl Scout Kaper Charts Made Easy Resources for Leaders
