Record Book Resources

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).