Requirements for Record Books
- Record Books must be hole-punched in a notebook/folder. Loose stacks of pages will not be scored.
- Missing sections will result in a score of 0 for that section.
- Record Books missing 3 or more sections will be considered incomplete and returned unscored.
- Typed versions of Record Books are permitted, as long as the pages are the same general format and include the same information as the official Record Book.
- Record Books need to follow the format/instructions noted at beginning of Record Book.
| Sections | Record Book Requirements & Point Values | Points Possible |
| Cover Page | Full Name is clear and neat 1 point Years in 4-H & Division are clear and neat 1 point Address is complete with city and zip code and is clear and neat 1 point Club Name and County are clear and neat 1 point Calendar Year (Oct-Sept) is correct 1 point | 5 points |
| Planning Calendar | Fully completed up to the date of submission 2 points All project-specific and club events are recorded with dates 2 points All county-wide events are recorded with dates 2 points Calendar is neat, organized, and legible 2 points Events attended are checked off 2 points | 10 points |
| Project Record | Heading is complete 2 points Signed appropriately by the member, parent/guardian, and leader 3 points Clearly lists 3 things they want to learn this year 3 points Clearly explains what their leader will help them learn 1 point Clearly explains what their parents/guardians will help them learn 1 point | 10 points |
| Project Journal | Fully completed dated entries up to the date of submission 2 points Each entry clearly explains what was done or made 2 points Lists quantity, cost, income, time spent (not all columns may apply) 2 points Explained what was learned or other notes in the Comments 4 points | 10 points |
| Add Sheet(s) or Financial Summary | Financial Summary page 14 will only be used if the project does not have project-specific Add Sheets Correct Add Sheet or Financial Summary used for each project 2 points All sections are accurately completed/totaled 3 points Fully completed up to the date of submission 5 points | 10 points |
| Project Photos | At least 2 relevant 4-H project photos 4 points All photos are dated 2 points Limit of 1 page of photos 1 point All photos are captioned with a relevant description 3 points | 10 points |
| Project Highlights | Reflects back on the 3 goals listed on their Project Record page 3 points Effectively describes problems they encountered 2 points Effectively describes successes they had 2 points Thoughtfully predicts what could be done differently next time 3 points | 10 points |
| 4-H Story | Written in first person (using “I” and “me”) 1 point Starts with an introduction 1 point Includes information listed on the Record Book instruction page 3 points | 5 points |
| Supplemental Information | Photos/documents of 4-H activities that are not project related 2 points All photos/documents are dated 1 point All photos/documents are captioned with a relevant description 2 points | 5 points |
| Permanent Record Book | Permanent Record Book is included 4 points Permanent Record Book has current year’s information recorded 3 points Areas that don’t apply that year should list year and “none” written 2 points Previous years information included 1 point | 10 points |
| Organization | Record Book is in the correct order 4 points Record Book has clearly labeled sections/tabs 3 points Book has an overall neat appearance, obvious care was taken 4 points Writing is legible and words spelled correctly 4 points | 15 points |