4-H
Senior Portfolio
(Ages 14-19)
20___
Name
Age (as of Jan. 1)
Mailing Address
Email
Phone
Club
Years in 4-H
Leader
Grade
Member Signature
Date
Parent Signature
Date
Leader Signature
Date
Agent Signature
Date
Revised May 2014
4-H Experiential Learning
4-H has a long history of “learning by doing”. Experiential learning happens
when a person gets involved in an activity, looks back at the experience
critically, determines what was useful or important to remember from the
activity, and uses this information in doing something else. It is more than
doing activities as experiential learning involves discussing what was done
(what), thinking about was learned (so what) and applying new skills and
information to a real life experience (now what).
Why Record Books?
4-H records are a written expression of learning experiences. From their records, members can see to
what degree they participate in club events and activities and how well they meet their own personal
goals. Records also relate experiences in leadership and community service and in addition can be used
as a tool for members to assess the skills and knowledge learned and how it can be applied to real life
experiences.
4-H records help youth to:
 Establish goals
 Collect and record information
 Assume responsibility for record keeping
 Evaluate progress in certain areas
By keeping 4-H records, members obtain experience and training that is of value throughout their
adult lives.
Life Skills
Life Skills are grouped into the four H’s in the 4-H clover – Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. These skills
are useful long after the project is over. The chart below shows some examples of life skills.
HEAD
Using Scientific Methods
Processing Information
Understanding Systems
Managing Resources
Practicing Creativity
Making Decisions
Solving Problems
Visualizing Information
Learning to Learn
Reasoning
Thinking Critically
Keeping Records
Planning and Organizing
Achieving Goals
Navigating in Your----------Environment
Working with Numbers
HEART
HANDS
HEALTH
Communicating
Interacting Socially
Cooperating
Sharing
Resolving Conflicts
Valuing Social Justice
Valuing Diversity
Building Relationships
Caring for Others
Being Empathic
Mastering Technology
Learning Through
Community Service
Volunteering
Being a Responsible Citizen
Working in a Team
Exercising Leadership
Completing a Project
Motivating Yourself
Being Responsible
Developing Self Esteem
Managing Yourself
Practicing Integrity and Character
Developing a Sense of Purpose
Developing a Positive View of
---the Future
Utilizing Resistance Skills
Being Resilient
Managing Stress
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Preventing Personal Injury
Expressing Emotions Positively
Preventing Disease
1
4-H Project Review
 On a separate sheet tell us about your projects. What projects did you complete and which 4-H curriculum did
you use? What were your project goals? If you have been in this project more than one year, how did your
project change? What new experiences are you glad you had and what did you learn? (limited to 3 pages)
4-H Project Summary & Learning Experience
(Please use following chart to document club/project work and activities.)
Date
What did you do?
What new project/life skills did you
learn?
# of meetings your club held _______________
How have you applied new
knowledge?
# of meetings you attended __________________
2
Leadership - List what you did to assist others during your 4-H year(s). Also include general leadership such as Club Officer, County 4-H Federation, or County
Committees.
Date
Leadership Activity
Leadership Role
(Elected, Appointed, Volunteered)
Level
(Club, County, State,
National)
3
Responsibilities/ Duties/
Accomplishments
# People
Reached
#
Hours
Citizenship - List community service or service learning projects which might include: clean ups, collections, repairs, construction, care packets, visitations,
education, donations, and presentations.
Date
Service Activity
Importance of Project and Impact on Community
4
# of Hours
Other 4-H Activities (County)
Date
Activity
What did you learn?
5
How have you applied what you learned?
Other 4-H Activities (State - National)
Date
What you were involved in?
What did you learn?
6
How have you applied what you learned?
Activities Outside 4-H - School, Church, Sports, etc.
Date
What you were involved in?
List leadership responsibilities
7
Project Photos
Caption:
Caption:
8
4-H Reflections
Describe the Life Skills you have learned/practiced under each “H” of the 4-H Clover:
HEAD: (Managing and decision making)
HEART: (Relating and caring)
HANDS: (Giving and working)
HEALTH: (Living and being)
9
MY 4-H RESUME
(Your resume should include the following basic information; limit 2 pages)
Name:
Address:
Phone Number:
E-Mail:
Future Goal: (Career or Educational)
Goal Statement:
Educational Experiences:
Work or Volunteer Experiences:
Special Talents and Abilities:
Letter of Recommendation: Provide two letters of recommendations. You may ask someone who knows you well
and this recommender can be a teacher, 4-H leader, counselor, advisor, civic leader, mentor, organizational leader
or an employer. These letters must be written within the last year and must be signed by the writer. They should
have direct contact with you, but should not be an immediate relative.
10
The following experiences qualify me to be considered as a State delegate to National 4-H Congress:
If selected as a State delegate to National 4-H Congress, I will:
11
My 4-H Story
Your 4-H Story should include the following:







Tell us some things about yourself.
Why did you choose to be involved with 4-H and chose to do the project(s) that you did.
Tell about things you enjoyed learning or doing. (experience)
Tell about results and/or challenges you had. (share)
Explain how you would improve your 4-H career. (process)
Tell what you have learned about yourself through your 4-H participation. (generalize)
Explain how you will use the life and/or project skills you learned in other areas of your life. (apply)
Minimum 2 pages; Maximum 6 pages, double-spaced
12
My 4-H Story (continued)
13
Senior 4-H Portfolio Evaluation
Name:__________________________________
Section
Total pts
4-H Project Review
10
4-H Project Summary &
Learning Experiences
10
4-H Leadership
Experiences
10
4-H Citizenship
Experiences
10
Other 4-H Activities
(County, State-National)
10
Activities Outside of 4-H
5
Project Photos
5
4-H Reflection
15
Resume
5
My 4-H Story
20
TOTAL:
100
Judge:_______________________
Pts award
Comments
14