Record Book

About 4-H Record Books

Record Book Tips

Why have 4-H Record Books?

4-H Record Books serve a variety of purposes in the California 4-H Youth Development Program.

• 4-H Record Books give members an opportunity to reflect on their yearly work. They document their skill development and learning experiences in a written report.  Record Books measure  achievements and growth during a member's total years in 4-H.

• 4-H Record Books encourage members to set goals, pursue strategies to meet those goals and shift gears in the face of challenges and obstacles.  Completion of the Personal Development Report gives credit and recognizes 4-H members for participation in 4-H activities, which provides an incentive for participation, learning and achievement.

• Completing a 4-H Record Book is a process where 4-H members record project and club work.  Records management (RM) is a competency skill to identify, create, classify, archive and preserve records.  The 4-H Record Book teaches 4-H members these skills through a standard format.

Required for 4-H Membership ?

4-H Record Books are not required for membership or for participation in 4-H activities such as club events, attending 4-H camps or conferences.  A 4-H Record Book may be required to receive participation awards (such as star ranking, medals or pins based on 4-H Record Book achievements).

Record Book Forms

The 2023-24 edition of the Record Book is now available.

All counties in California must be in alignment with the version outlined in the manual; no other supplemental forms or requirements may be used.

Join the CA 4-H Record Book Support Group on Facebook.

2023-24 County Level Record Book Review & Competition

Registration for County Level Record Book Judging not yet Open

Individual Forms:

ALL individual forms can be found on the State 4-H website.

Primary Members

Primary Member Report forms have been developed. Primary members are not required to complete report forms to receive their annual stripe and pin. 

Primary Record Book