Completing a 4-H Record Book can earn you awards & scholarships for college! Learn how to start one today!
What is a Record book?
A 4-H Record book encourages members to keep a recorded collection of educational experiences that focuses on a 4-H member’s project for the year. At the end of the 4-H year their record book is reviewed annually by submitting their 4-H Record book for judging at the county, district and state level. Not only are 4-H members recognized and awarded for winning record books, but they also have the benefit of preparing young people for the process of completing quality academic scholarship applications. All 4-H members who are high school seniors can also submit their record book as an application for the local Bexar County 4-H Scholarship. Any enrolled 4-H members can complete a record book for the year. Please reference the following information to learn how to start, complete and submit a record book this year!
Where do I begin?
- Select the CORRECT age division of your record book.
- Junior Division: Minimum age of 8 years old.
- Grades: 3rd – 5th
- Intermediate Division:
- Grades: 6th – 8th
- Senior Division:
- Grades: 9th – 12th
- Junior Division: Minimum age of 8 years old.
- Select a CATEGORY for your record book. Remember to select a category that correlates with your activities for the year.
- Begin the Record-Keeping process throughout the year. Please use our Recordkeeping Tip Sheet to guide you on how to keep track of all your 4-H Experiences!
- Acquire report forms, portfolio, and write your story. See links below.
- Give yourself plenty of time to complete and submit on/before the deadline of FRIDAY – JUNE 9, 2023 by 5:00 P.M. LATE FEES APPLY AFTER THE DEADLINE
- Criteria for all the awards are available on the Awards Page.
Making a Record Book – What goes where?
Your Age Division (Junior, Intermediate or Senior) will determine what forms are required to be completed for your Record book. Below is a list of all required forms to complete a record book and the order it should follow in the book. All types of covers or binders are acceptable to use. The Bexar County 4-H office has 4-H covers available for $3.00 at our Bexar County Extension Office.
*REMINDER* Page Limits and categories have been updated for 2022-2023 Record Books. Please see the Family Guide to Recordbooks for guidelines and changes.
JUNIOR ORDER:
- 3 x 5 Information Card – stapled to the outside of the front cover (Information cards will be available from our office)
- Check Sheet – paper clipped to the inside front of the cover (Our District is 10).
- Personal Information Page – First page of your recordbook. It should be signed by the member and parent before being turned in. Your recordbook cannot advance if this form is not signed.
- Junior Story & Photo Portfolio – (8 pages max – At least 2 pages typed & 2 pages of photos minimum) 4-H Story Sample Ideas
- Junior Report Forms (Record Book Report Forms Word) (Record Book Check Sheet Word)
INTERMEDIATE ORDER:
- 3 x 5 Information Card – stapled to the outside of the front cover (Information cards will be available from our office)
- Check Sheet – paper clipped to the inside front of the cover (Our District is 10).
- Personal Information Page – First page of your recordbook. It should be signed by the member and parent before being turned in. Your recordbook cannot advance if this form is not signed.
- Intermediate Story & Photo Portfolio – (10 pages max – At least 4 pages typed & 3 pages of photos minimum) 4-H Story Sample Ideas
- Intermediate Report Forms (Record Book Report Forms Word) (Record Book Check Sheet Word)
SENIOR ORDER:
- 3 x 5 Information Card – stapled to the outside of the front cover (Information cards will be available from our office)
- Check Sheet – paper clipped to the inside front of the cover (Our District is 10).
- Personal Information Page – First page of your recordbook. It should be signed by the member and parent before being turned in. Your recordbook cannot advance if this form is not signed.
- Senior Story & Photo Portfolio – (10 pages max – At least 6 pages typed & 3 pages of photos minimum) 4-H Story Sample Ideas
- Senior Report Forms (Record Book Report Forms Word) (Record Book Check Sheet Word)
Need some help?
General Information
- Family Guide to Record books
- Record Book Scoresheet
- Record Book PowerPoint
- Record Book Categories
- Record Book Forms – Word
- ZSuites Online Record Book FAQs
Training Videos
- Zsuites Record Book FAQs
- 4-H Story Sample Ideas
- Video Training Sessions hosted by Michelle Mihalek
- ZSuites Online Record Book Training Sessions