Bears are in third grade (or 9 years old). This part of the Boy Scout trail is intended to take one school year, preparing the scout to begin earning his Webelos rank after he completes third grade.
Much of the advancement for the Bear rank is done by the scout with his family outside of the den, similar to the Wolf rank. The parent signs off in the scout’s handbook and the Den Leader records the advancements from the handbook. The Bear program relies heavily on family involvement, but you will see this gradually change with the scout doing more with his den and more individual direction as he reaches Webelos.