CA 4-H Record Book Resources
Members must use the current year's Record Book forms. Record Book resources, including forms (word, excel, pdf, and google docs) can be found on the California 4-H Record Book page at: https://4h.ucanr.edu/Resources/Member_Resources/RecordBook/
You will also find the Record Book Manual and information about Record Book competitions (club, county and state levels).
About 4-H Record Books
The 4-H program has a long history of record keeping. The focus reflects the importance of this life skill in our daily lives. Completing a 4-H Record Book is a process where you record project and club work using a standard format.
Why have 4-H Record Books?
Completing the Personal Development Report in the Record Book provides you an incentive for participation, learning, and achievement.
Benefits of completing a 4-H Record Book:
- Practice Records Management - Track your activities, events, profits and losses, skill development and learning experiences. In this competency skill you identify, create, classify, archive and preserve records.
- Reflect on your yearly work - Document your skill development and learning experiences in a written report.
- Measure your achievements and growth throughout your years in 4-H.
- Set goals, pursue strategies to meet those goals, and record how you may have had to shift gears in the face of challenges and obstacles.
Do I have to do a Record Book?
We encourage all our 4-H youth to do a Record Book to record their project information and reflections, but 4-H Record Books are not required for membership or participation in 4-H activities such as club events, 4-H camps, or conferences.
A 4-H Record Book may be required to receive participation awards (such as star ranking, medals, or pins based on 4-H Record Book achievements). The Annual Project Report (APR) form is required for Project Completion in order for a youth member to receive a year stripe and pin annually.
What belongs in a 2023-2024 Record Book?
The contents of your 2023-2024 4-H Record Book will vary depending on if you are:
- Not participating in an achievement system,
- A returning Intermediate or Senior 4-H member that has previously earned the Bronze Star Rank and are continuing in the historical star rank system,
- Participating in the NEW achievement system (SPARKS, Emerald Star I, Emerald Star II).