The Bear rank is a part of the program aimed at third graders, or those eight years of age. Bear is the third and final rank of advancement before the boy moves onto Webelos.

To earn the Bear badge a Cub Scout must complete 12 out of a possible 24 tasks that are offered in the Bear Cub Scout Book - if the Cub Scout has not previously earned the Bobcat badge, it must be earned first. Bear activities are primarily done at home, then signed off by the parent after the boy has completed each task, and are grouped in four major areas: God, Country, Family and Self. The boy's Bear Cub Scout Book is then shown to the Den Leader, who records his progress and also signs the boy's book.