Fast Tracks

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Cub Scout Fast Tracks are your first 16 Den Meeting plans for each year and are
designed to help active Cubs earn their Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scout ranks by February.

Wouldn't it be great if the past Den Leaders had left you their notes?

What if they had given you meeting plans with ideas for activities and games?

That's what the Fast Tracks are!

Fast Tracks is a series of den meeting plans (two den meetings per month) designed to be used in conjunction with the youth handbooks. By following the these plans, active Scouts can earn their Tiger, Wolf, Bear, or Webelos rank by February, usually in time for the Blue & Gold Banquet. After these meetings, Scouts continue to meet to work on other electives, Belt Loops and Pins, and other Cub Scout Awards through the rest of the year. All Cub Scouts must first earn their Bobcat Badge.

Use the Fast Tracks as-is or as a resource for your own meeting plans. MeritBadge.Org offers a wealth of other resources to get you started, Belt Loop and Pin Worksheets and Cub Scout Monthly Themes with Program Helps! Also see the Fast Tracks FAQ.

1 Fast Tracks Den Meeting plans by rank
2 Frequently Asked Questions
3 See also
4 External links

Fast Tracks Den Meeting plans by rank

Fast Tracks for Tiger Cub Scouts (1st grade)
Fast Tracks for Wolf Cub Scouts (2nd grade)
Fast Tracks for Bear Cub Scouts (3rd grade)
Fast Tracks for 4th grade Webelos Scouts - Also see: Webelos Scout Program
Fast Tracks for 5th grade Webelos Scouts - Only for Scouts who completed the 4th grade Fast Track
Cub Scouts at all levels can also earn the Belt Loops and Pins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shortcut: Fast Tracks FAQ

Do I have to use the Fast Tracks as written?: No! Fast Tracks are a resource. You can use them as-is, as a starting point for your own plans, or just for resource ideas.

I thought we were supposed to meet every week. Why are there only two Fast Tracks per month?: We are supposed to meet weekly. A typical monthly routine might be two weekly Fast Track Den Meetings, a field trip (Go and See It), and a Pack Meeting.

Can we still do Belt Loops?

Of course! In fact as you work on your requirements, many naturally lead right into Belt Loops & Pins:

Tiger & Belt Loop tie-ins - Electives & Belt Loop tie-ins
Wolf & Belt Loop tie-ins - Electives & Belt Loop tie-ins
Bear & Belt Loop tie-ins - Electives & Belt Loop tie-ins
Webelos Badge & Belt Loop tie-ins - Activity Badges & (Worksheets)

Why is it such a big deal to earn the rank by Blue and Gold Banquet?: Cub Scouts is a fast-paced, active program. If a Den follows the Cub Scout program, active boys will often earn their rank by Blue and Gold. Boys in dens who don't follow the Cub Scout program are more likely to drop out.

If the Fast Tracks finish the rank by February, what do you do the rest of the year?: Earning your rank is just the first part of your program each year! Then you complete electives, arrow points, Belt Loops & Pins, and Cub Scout Awards.

How long have Fast Track been around?: A number of local councils have had similar "home-grown" programs for years. The official "Fast Tracks" program has been available on scouting.org since the late spring of 2008.

Will there still be the Program Helps?: Yes! You can buy the Program Helps #34409 book or download the modules. The Program Helps provide great resources for the Fast Tracks. See the Cub Scout Monthly Themes.

With Fast Tracks, do Den Leaders take over more of what the families should do?: No! For Tiger, Wolf, and Bear, it is still Akela (a parent) who signs off on each requirement. Requirements that are to be done at home are still done at home.

Can we still share leadership?: Yes. That is the goal. Now if the Den Leader can't make a meeting, you have great notes to give to your assistant or another parent so that the show can still go on!

Can we still have Denners?: Yes! Denners are critical to your success. Ask adult partners (parents) to take turns coordinating the meetings. Ask who has contacts with the fire or police departments, local parks, etc. When a family coordinates a meeting, their boy gets to be Denner! The Denner gets gold cords and to help with the Pledge of Allegiance, treats, setup, and cleanup.

Can I print out all 16 Fast Tracks at once?: Yes! The first link for each level's Fast Tracks is to print all 36-40 pages at once. Or, you can print just the modules you want.