SENIOR RECORD BOOK
4-H records are a written description of your achievements in 4-H and in your
community. They document the knowledge and skills that have been learned; they also
record your experiences in leadership, citizenship and community service. Even though
they may seem like a waste of time now, record keeping will become important when you
become an adult, as records are essential for any adult to be successful. Also, as you
become older, it is nice to look back at what you have accomplished and how you grew to
be a proficient citizen.
Senior 4-H members (ages 14-18) are required to complete a 4-H Portfolio which
consists of an essay on the current essay topic and a resume. A title page is needed (with
photo) and labeled dividers designate the resume and essay. This all needs to be in the
standard 4-H record book cover. Tips follow below.
RESUME (4-H Member Makes Their Own)
Helpful Hints
 The Resume is an accumulation of what you have done throughout your 4-H
career (start with most recent and go to oldest).
 Judging based on Citizenship, Leadership, and Life Skills.
 Length – no more than three pages
 Single spaced
 Margins – no less than 1 inch
 Font Size – no less than 12 point
 Font Type – Times New Roman
 Use bulleting, not paragraphs
 Must be typed
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The Format
 Personal information
o Name and Address (required)
o Club and County (optional)
 Objective
o Fill in a one-sentence objective when you create a resume for a particular
purpose. Your objective is best expressed in the fewest words possible,
while still being clear and explicit.
 Skills and Accomplishments
o Summarize your leadership activities, citizenship activities, and life skills
acquired. Be explicit and use duties and numbers, where appropriate.
o Citizenship – indicate significant citizenship efforts and impacts.
o Leadership – indicate major leadership roles and impacts.
o Life Skills – indicate special achievements; focus on knowledge and skills
gained through 4-H involvement. Some life skills include:
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Managing – keeping records, wise use of resources,
planning/organizing
Thinking – problem solving, critical thinking, decision making,
learning to learn
Living – disease prevention, personal safety
Being – self responsibility, self-discipline, character
Working – teamwork, self-motivation, contribution to group effort
Giving – community service, leadership
Caring – sharing, empathy, concern for others
Relating – communication, cooperation, social skills, accepting
differences
(Targeting Life Skills Model,
Hendricks, 1996)
Education
o Include name of school attending and anticipated graduation date. Also,
list most meaningful participation in school activities (leadership and
honors)
Employment (Optional)
o List any work experience.
Personal Information
o Include information on family, hobbies, group affiliations, and church.
(Especially those that contribute to your objective and information in your
resume.)
Essay Question (4-H Members Makes Their Own)
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The Essay Question replaces the 4-H Story. (Portfolio version only)
Essay topic for Record Book/Portfolio is determined each year.
Essay topic - Check the website for the current topic.
Length – no more than two pages
Double spaced
Margins – no less than 1 inch
Font Size – no less than 12 point
Font Type – Times New Roman
For some life skills suggestions, please refer to the “Targeting Life Skills
Model” at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/lifeskills/previewwheel.html
Check carefully for spelling and grammar errors
Must be typed
Some seniors may wish to complete a full, standard record book. This enables you to
qualify for the “H” awards and the “Miss Marry Larrimore Strive to Achieve Outstanding
Story” award. This version of a senior record book requires all of the components of a
Junior or Intermediate record book with the exception of the “Summary Record”. You do
NOT complete a summary record as a senior. The resume takes its place. You include the
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required resume and essay placing them after the Table of Contents. From there, it’s the
same as the Junior/Intermediate books.
There are several requirements for completing a Standard Senior QACo 4-H Record
Book that include the following components:
 Standard 4-H Cover
 Title Page (4-H member develops, including portrait photo)
 Table of Contents (4-H member develops)
 Resume (4-H member develops)
 4-H Essay (4-H member develops)
 4-H Story (4-H member develops)
 Photographs (4-H member develops)
 4-H Correspondence-Optional (4-H member develops)
 4-H Newspaper Clippings-Optional (4-H member develops)
 QACo 4-H Project Records (Form)
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Record Book forms are available in paper form from the University of Maryland
Extension, Queen Anne’s County Office. Forms are also available online at:
www.extension.umd.edu/queen-annes-county
If you have any questions, contact the University of Maryland Extension, Queen Anne’s
County at 410-758-0166 or email Sally Rosenberry at srosenbe@umd.edu or Chris
Johnston at cjohnstn@umd.edu.
Standard 4-H Cover (You can use the same cover year after year)
The standard 4-H cover is available from the 4-H Office for $2.50 each. All information
should be securely fastened in the cover and tabbed dividers should be used to separate
sections.
Title/Photo Page (4-H Member Makes Their Own)
A portrait type photo of just yourself (head and shoulders only) should be mounted on
plain white paper. Use rubber cement or any other neat process to mount. (Do not use a
tab on this page.) Under the picture include:
 Your complete name
 Age (as of Jan. 1st of the year of your current records)
 Post Office address, state, zip code and COUNTY
 List ALL Clubs that you are enrolled in
Table of Contents (4-H Member Makes Their Own)
The Table of Contents lists all forms/categories included in the Record Book. Make sure
the table of contents lists each project form that is included, (i.e. Market Swine Record,
Food and Nutrition, etc.) Example: 4-H Summary Records
4-H Story
4-H Project Pictures
4-H Correspondence (optional)
4-H Newspaper Clippings (optional)
4-H Project Records
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1. Market Swine
2. Food and Nutrition
Resume (4-H Member Makes Their Own)
 As per previous instructions
Essay (4-H Member Makes Their Own)
 Use current topic, as per previous instructions
4-H Story (4-H Member Makes Their Own)
Your 4-H Story is a narrative of your experiences in 4-H for the current year. You should
begin with information about yourself – your age, interests, parents, brothers and sisters,
where you live, where you attend school, and when and why you joined 4-H. Tell about
your 4-H projects, why you selected them, what you learned, things you’ve tried and
found both successful and not so successful. Share a special experience; tell about your
leadership experiences such as offices held, committee memberships and some of what
you’ve learned. You may want to share your goals and how 4-H has influenced what you
would like to do in the future. You can be as creative as you like when you write your
story, but please remember that it is not a work of fiction, it is about you and your growth
in your 4-H year.
Your story may be typed or hand written (typed preferred). If you choose to use the
computer, font size should be 12 point with margins of 1 inch. Stories may be up to a
maximum of six pages in length, 1-2 pages is sufficient for juniors, 2-3 pages is sufficient
for intermediates and 3-4 pages is sufficient for seniors. Type double spaced. Please sign
your story. Please take time to review your story to insure use of complete sentences,
grammar and spelling. If you are using a computer, take time to use spell check, but also
look it over because spell check is not foolproof!
Photographs (4-H Member Makes Their Own)
Pictures should be used to illustrate highlights of your 4-H projects and 4-H Activities.
Please label each picture with a caption explaining what you are doing in the picture. You
are limited to no more than 3 pages, one side only and not “shingled”. Secure photos with
rubber cement or any other neat process – NO TAPE.
4-H Correspondence (4-H Member Makes Their Own)
(This is optional)
You are limited to a maximum of three pages. Correspondence consists of letters sent to
you regarding your 4-H project work or 4-H community service endeavors. Do not
include any correspondence that you send out – only use what has come to you.
Newspaper Clippings – (4-H Member Makes Their Own)
(This is optional)
You are limited to a maximum of three pages. Clippings should be about you and your 4H activities. Please underline in red, or highlight your name.
Queen Anne’s County 4-H Project Records – (Forms)
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4-H Projects are designed so you, as 4-H members, can progress at your own pace
through various learning experiences. Project records help you list everything you have
done in your 4-H project during the current 4-H year. To complete a project one should
do a communication activity, an exhibit, and complete the project record. These tips will
help you complete the 4-H Project Record. Remember to complete one for each project
area that you carry.
There are ten different project records:
 Queen Anne’s County 4-H Project Record (non animal)
 Animal Records (These are now the same as the MD. State forms.)
Camelids
Dairy
Dog
Horse
Large Animal Breeding
Livestock Market
Poultry
Rabbit & Cavy
Small Pet (Cat, Gerbil, Hamster, Snake, Other)
The Queen Anne’s County 4-H Project Record is a generic form to be used for all
projects other than animals. It is used for projects such as public speaking, gardening,
crafts, food and nutrition, sewing, shooting sports, veterinary science, rockets, etc.
The Camelids Record is the form to be used for llamas and alpacas.
The Dairy Record is the form to be used for dairy animals.
The Dog Record is to be used for all dog projects.
The Horse Record is to be used for all horse and pony projects.
The Large Animal Breeding Record is the form to be used with all large breeding
animals including breeding beef, dairy cattle, dairy goats, breeding meat goats, breeding
sheep and breeding swine.
The Livestock Market Record is the form to be used for all market animals including
market beef, market dairy steers, meat goats, market lambs and market swine.
The Poultry Record is to be used for all poultry and other fowl projects (including
market poultry and fowl).
The Rabbit and Cavy Record is to be used for all rabbit and cavy projects (including
market rabbits)
The Small Pet Record is to be used for small pets (cat, gerbil, hamster, snake, etc.).
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.Queen Anne’s County 4-H Project Record (all non-animal projects)
Fill out the personal information, project area and include your signature and signatures
of parent and leader.
Project Journal/Log:
Communications include demonstrations, visual presentations, speeches, oral reasons in
judging, and if you talk with the general public about your project at the fair. The
communications should directly relate to the project record that you are completing. Fill
in the date, topic or title (speech, demo, etc. & its title), location (where the event was
held), and placing.
Exhibits include all fairs and shows that your project has been entered in that directly
relate to the project record that you are completing. Fill in the date, exhibit (a description
of the exhibit i.e. fair, show), location (where the event was held) and placing.
Learning Experiences:
Fill in the date, what you did and something you learned. Include participation in judging,
quiz bowl, skills events, workshops, class participation and any other learning experience
related to your topic.
Financial Journal:
Fill in the date, description of income or expense and the dollar amount of the income or
expense. Total each column (income and expense) and record the totals. Subtract these
and determine the amount of loss or profit. Remember to circle either “loss” or “profit”.
Resources:
Fill out the project resources and manuals that helped you learn more about your project
throughout the year. These resources can be books, manuals, websites, and even people
like your mom, dad, sibling, or club leader.
Life Skills:
Fill in skills for each “H” that you’ve learned and developed that directly relate to the
project record that you are completing. Some 4-H Life Skills include:
 Managing – keeping records, wise use of resources, planning/organizing
 Thinking – problem solving, critical thinking, decision making, learning
to learn
 Living – disease prevention, personal safety
 Being – self responsibility, self discipline, character
 Working – teamwork, self motivation, contribution to group effort
 Giving – community service, leadership
 Caring – sharing, empathy, concern for others
 Relating – communication, cooperation, social skills, accepting
differences
(Targeting Life Skills Model, Hendricks, 1996)
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Camelids Project Record
On page one, fill out personal information, the goals you set, two things you learned and
one thing you would like to improve or do differently next year.
Page two is your “H’s” with examples to help you.
Page three lists your “Project Activities”, “Project Communications” and “Project
Exhibits”. Each section explains what you should include.
On page four you fill in Tables 1, 2 and 3 which are: 1) “Alpaca Information”, 2) “Feed
Expense” and 3) “Health and Veterinary Record and Expenses”.
On page five, Table 4 lists “All Other Expenses” and Table 5 lists “All Income”.
Page six has two Tables: Table 8, “Training Record” and Table 9, “Daily Care and
Routine”.
The final page is your “Financial Summary”
Dairy Project Record
You may access the form and instructions from: http://dairy.umd.edu
Click on 4-H Dairy, then click on Dairy Project Recordbook, then both: Record
Book Instructions and/or Record Book Forms
On page one, fill out personal information, the goals you set, two things you learned and
one thing you would like to improve or do differently next year.
Page two is your “H’s” with examples to help you.
Use the “Record Book Instructions” to help you complete the remainder of this project
record.
Dog Project Record
On page one, fill out personal information, the goals you set, two things you learned and
one thing you would like to improve or do differently next year.
Page two is your “H’s” with examples to help you.
Page three lists your “Project Activities”, “Project Communications” and “Project
Exhibits”. Each section explains what you should include.
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On page four, you will fill in Tables 1, 2 and 3 which are: 1) “Dog Information”, 2)
“Vaccine Record” and 3) “Health and Veterinary Record and Expenses”.
On page five, Table 5 is “Feeding Record and Expenses”, Table six is “All Other
Expenses” and Table 7 is “All Income”.
Page six has two Tables: Table 8, “Training Record” and Table 9, “Daily Care and
Routine”.
The final page is your “Financial Summary”
Horse Project Record
On page one, fill out personal information, the goals you set, two things you learned and
one thing you would like to improve or do differently next year.
Page two is your “H’s” with examples to help you.
Page three lists your “Project Activities”, “Project Communications” and “Project
Exhibits”. Each section explains what you should include.
On page four, you will fill in Tables 1, 2 and 3 which are: 1) “Horse/Pony Information”,
2) “Feed Expenses” and 3) “Health and Veterinary Record and Expenses”.
On page five, Table 4 is “Farrier Record and Expenses”, Table 5 is “All Other Expenses
Record” and Table 6 is “Income Record”.
The last page, page six, has Table 7, “Horsemanship Standards Information” and then the
“Financial Summary”
Large Animal Breeding Project Record
On page one, fill out personal information, the goals you set, two things you learned and
one thing you would like to improve or do differently next year.
Page two is your “H’s” with examples to help you.
Page three lists your “Project Activities”, “Project Communications” and “Project
Exhibits”. Each section explains what you should include.
On page four, you will fill in Tables 1, 2 and 3 which are: 1) “Project Animal
Information”, 2) “Animal Breeding Information” and 3) “Offspring Record”.
On page five, Table 4 is “Feed Expenses”, Table 5 is “Health and Veterinary Expenses”
and Table 6 is “All Other Expenses”.
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Tables on page six, to be filled out are: Table 7 “Income record”, Table 8 “All Other
Income”, and Table 9 “Milk Record” (Dairy Animals Only).
The last page is your “Financial Summary”.
Livestock Market Project Record
On page one, fill out personal information, the goals you set, two things you learned and
one thing you would like to improve or do differently next year.
Page two is your “H’s” with examples to help you.
Page three lists your “Project Activities”, “Project Communications” and “Project
Exhibits”. Each section explains what you should include.
Page four contains Table 1 which is “Information on Project Animals”.
Page five has Table 2 “Feed Expenses” and Table 3 “All Other Expenses”.
On page six, Table 4 is “Health and Veterinary Expenses” and Table 5 “Sale Animal
Income”.
Page seven, the last page, has Table 6 “All Other Income” and then the “Financial
Summary”.
Poultry Project Record
On page one, fill out personal information, the goals you set, two things you learned and
one thing you would like to improve or do differently next year.
Page two is your “H’s” with examples to help you.
Page three lists your “Project Activities”, “Project Communications” and “Project
Exhibits”. Each section explains what you should include.
On page four, is Table 1 “Poultry Inventory” and Table 2 “Breeding Information”.
Page five contains three tables. Table 1 “Incubation and Hatching Information, Table 2
“Feeding Information and Expenses” and Table 5 “Health and Veterinary Record and
Expenses”.
On page six, Table 6 is “All Other Expenses”, Table 7 is “Egg Production” and Table 8 is
“Poultry and Meat Sales”.
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The final page is the “Financial Summary”.
Rabbit and Cavy Project Record
On page one, fill out personal information, the goals you set, two things you learned and
one thing you would like to improve or do differently next year.
Page two is your “H’s” with examples to help you.
Page three lists your “Project Activities”, “Project Communications” and “Project
Exhibits”. Each section explains what you should include.
On page four is Table 1, “Rabbit/Cavy Inventory” and Table 2, “Breeding Information”.
Page five has three tables. Table 3 “Feed Record and Expense”, Table 4 “Health and
Veterinary Record and Expenses” and Table 5 “All Other Expenses”.
The final page is the “Financial Summary”.
Small Pet Project Record
On page one, fill out personal information, the goals you set, two things you learned and
one thing you would like to improve or do differently next year.
Page two is your “H’s” with examples to help you.
Page three lists your “Project Activities”, “Project Communications” and “Project
Exhibits”. Each section explains what you should include.
Page four has Table 1 “Small Pet Information” (room for 3 different pets), Table 2 which
is “Write a brief statement about how you obtained your small pet” and Table 4 “Health
and Veterinary Record and Expenses”.
On page five there are three tables. Table 5 “Feeding Record and Expenses”, Table 6 “All
Other Expenses” and Table 7 “All Income”.
The last page has Table 8, “Daily Care and Routine” and then the “Financial Summary”.
A Few Final Reminders
As 4-H members, it is important that the work reported is all yours!
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Use tab dividers and label them on each section, except for the Title/Photo page and the
Table of Contents page.
Do not use plastic covers over the pages in any section. Plastic covers cause a glare,
making it difficult to read the print.
Do not number pages.
Record books may be computer generated or handwritten. Juniors may use pencil as long
as it is dark enough to read. Use 12 point font size and 1inch margins.
Use all plain, white, standard 81/2” x 11” size paper. Lined paper is acceptable for junior
4-Hers.
In Your Record Book, Do NOT Include:
4-H Project Manuals
4-H Ribbons
4-H Certificates
4-H Event Programs
4-H Premium Receipts
Loose Items
Green Metal Disc Plate
Record Book Awards
 Your overall book will be evaluated for project achievements, participation,
completeness and neatness. This will determine your ribbon color.
 Project Recognition-Every completed project (which has a record sheet, speech or
demonstration and exhibit) will receive project recognition. These components
must be in their proper places to be easily found by the judges.
 “H” Awards-Each age division (Jr, Int, Sr) will recognize the most outstanding
Head, Heart, Hands and Health Awards. These will be selected from the life skills
section at the end of each project record.
 Story Awards-The top stories in each age division will be recognized. The best
overall story from all age divisions will receive the Miss Mary Larrimore Award.
Adapted from: Cecil County Extension Office
UME QACo. 10/2009
Revised 12/2010, 10/2011,
5/2013
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