4-H Record book
Updated: December 19, 2023

Every 4-Her should keep a Record Book and turn it in every year. Past Summary Records stay in the Record Book year to year – everything else starts fresh. (Recommended: keep a binder with all your past Record Book materials! This is great for creating resumes later.) All 4-Hers carrying livestock projects must turn in their project records for the previous year in order to have another livestock project. Record Books should be presented in official Record Book Covers (limited quantities are available for purchase at the 4-H Office). Seniors may turn in a regular Record Book, or may choose to do a Senior Record Book. The Senior Record Book includes elements from the Senior Portfolio; the Resume replaces the Summary Record and the Essay replaces the 4-H Story. The Senior Portfolio is submitted to qualify for Leadership Trips and qualifying Portfolio 4-Hers will have an interview as well. These life skills are critical for college and job readiness!

Record Books and Portfolios

Record Books - Step-by-Step

Due Date:

February 1

Please use the Record Book Score Sheet and include dividers between each section and project.

1.  Title Page
2.  Table of Contents
3.  Summary Record – All of your activities (4-H and other) throughout the year are recorded here as well as highlights of your projects (communications, awards, activities, etc.)
4.  4-H Story (Sample 4-H Stories) – Write a story about your 4-H experience last year. Be creative! You can summarize your year, talk about what you learned from your favorite project, or show how 4-H changed you. Seniors may choose to use this year's essay topic.
5.  Project Pictures – You can have up to 6 pages of project pictures. Keep in mind that we are looking for 4-H in action!
6.  Project Records – You should have one project record per project/species. Complete Project Records include Communications (speech, demonstration, teaching, poster, etc.) and Exhibitions (show or display at fair, club event, or community event)

  • General Project Record – Use this for non-animal projects like Arts and Crafts, Shooting Sports, Food, Leadership, and Gardening.

Species Specific Project Records:

Senior Record Books - Step-by-Step

Due Date:

February 1

Please use the Senior Record Book (Portfolio) Score Card and include dividers between each section and project.

1.  Title Page
2.  Table of Contents
3.  4-H Resume– All of your activities (4-H and other) throughout the year are recorded here as well as highlights of your projects (communications, awards, activities, etc.)
4.  Essay - use this year's essay topic.
5.  Project Pictures – Optional but encouraged for Senior Record Books. You can have up to 6 pages of project pictures. Keep in mind that we are looking for 4-H in action!
6.  Project Records – You should have one project record per project/species. Complete Project Records include Communications (speech, demonstration, teaching, poster, etc.) and Exhibitions (show or display at fair, club event, or community event)

  • General Project Record – Use this for non-animal projects like Arts and Crafts, Shooting Sports, Food, Leadership, and Gardening.

Species Specific Project Records:

Senior Portfolios

Due Dates:

October 1st - Portfolios must be turned in to 4-H Office for National 4-H Conference Trip Consideration

First Monday in January - Portfolios must be turned in to 4-H Office for National 4-H Congress, Camp Miniwanca, Virginia 4-H Congress and West Virginia Older 4-H Members Conference Leadership Trip Consideration

The Maryland 4-H Program is proud to offer senior 4-H members the opportunity to participate in Leadership Trips at the National Level. All enrolled and dues paying club members ages 14-18 (as of January 1st the year the trip takes place) from all counties and Baltimore City are eligible to submit an application and portfolio packet for any of the following national leadership trips. To be considered for a Leadership Trip, a 4-H member must complete a portfolio package which includes an application, 4-H resume, essay and interview.