A Cub Scout who has completed second grade (or is age 9) can become a Bear Scout. To earn the Bear Badge, a Cub Scout must complete 12 achievements out of a possible 24 that are offered in the book. The achievements are grouped in 4 major areas, GOD, COUNTRY, FAMILY, and SELF.

If the Cub Scout has not previously earned the Bobcat Badge, it must be earned first.

As the scout earns the Bear rank, he must complete 12 Achievements. These achievements are divided into 116 tasks of which 80 selected tasks must be completed. The achievements, as were the Wolf activities, are primarily done at home and signed off by an adult family member after the boy has completed each one. The book is then shown to the Den Leader who records the progress and also signs the boy's book.