4-H
Record Book
Senior
(Ages 14-19)
20___
Name
Age (as of Jan. 1)
Club
Year in 4-H
Leader
Year in this project
Member Signature
Parent Signature
Leader Signature
Agent Signature
Revised May 2014
Grade
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 Plan
 On a separate sheet tell us about your project. What is your project and which 4-H curriculum will you use?
What are your project goals this year? If you have been in this project more than one year, how will your project
change? What new experiences would you like to have and what would you like to 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 will you apply 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
My 4-H Story
Your 4-H Story should include the following:

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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 year. (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
9
My 4-H Story (continued)
10
SENIOR LEVEL
Name:
County:
Category:
Instructions: Check one box for the statement on each row that best describes each record book section/criteria. Provide
specific details in the comment boxes if necessary.
Excellent
Cover Page-Complete with
signatures
Project Summary & Learning Experiences
Organization - The summary is
very well organized. One idea
follows another in a logical
sequence with clear transitions.
4-H Focus - The summary
emphasizes 4-H project work and
experiences
Main Project - The summary
summarizes activities and
learning experiences within the
main project category.
Other Records
4-H Project Summary & Learning
Experience- Member effectively
demonstrates high level of
involvement in 4-H meetings
Leadership - Member displays
leadership involvement
Citizenship - Member shows
involvement within community
and beyond
Other 4-H Activities (County,
State, National) - Member
effectively demonstrates
involvement in 4-H opportunities
outside of 4-H club level
Activities Outside 4-H - Member
shows involvement beyond 4-H
Project Photos - Photos are
detailed, attractive, creative, and
relate to the member’s 4-H
involvement.
Good
Fair
Needs
Improvement
Comments
My 4-H Story
Organization - The story sections
are well organized. One idea
follows another in a logical
sequence with clear transitions.
Main Project – The story
summarizes activities and
learning experiences within the
main project category.
Spelling/Punctuation/Grammar There are minimal spelling,
punctuation, or grammatical
errors in the story.
Creativity - The story contains
creative details and/or
descriptions that contribute to
the reader's enjoyment.
Please include any other specific comments or suggestions for improvement here:
RIBBON COLOR:
Judge’s Initials: