Projects & Record Books
Why do we do 4-H Projects?
4-H provides the opportunity to learn skills in everything from Agriculture and Arts to Science, Wildlife, and Veterinary Sciences. Youth are encouraged to work on projects in 4-H to develop life skills, hone their talents, and gain new experiences. With over 50 projects to choose from, Arkansas youth have opportunities to grow in their knowledge while having fun experiences with their friends and families. 4-H Project Books are a great resource for youth to work from, especially when getting started or beginning a new project area. 4-H Project Books can be purchased here:
How can parents help with 4-H Projects?
4-H'ers are encouraged to choose a project (or projects) that interest them. These projects can be worked on individually, or with groups of youth that have similar interests. While working on these projects, youth are encouraged to keep detailed records that can be submitted for awards such as 4-H record books or Congressional awards. Parents and 4-H leaders are their to guide our youth as they expand their minds and strive to improve their club, community, country, and world.
While completing these non-formal, science-based, experiential education projects, 4-Hers gain knowledge and enhance life skills enabling them to become positive, productive, capable and compassionate members of society.
What's the best strategy for choosing a 4-H Project?
Picking a 4-H project can be a hard decision. With over 50 projects to choose from, picking just a few can be daunting. (Project Handout)
- It's important to pick a project that interests you, a project that you can work on easily and a project that will teach you something new.
- Since most of your project work will in or around your home, you should work with your family to pick something that you can all participate in.
Your Extension Agent, parents, teachers, volunteer leaders, and others will help you learn; and learning will be fun. They can also help you choose the project or projects that is the best fit for you.
4-H Project Areas
Record Books
Record keeping and completing a 4-H record book describing the work of a member's project is an important part of 4-H. While not easy, the benefits of completing a record book are very tangible. Youth will be prepared for future employment, college applications, and household management with the skills they gain from record keeping. Youth are encouraged to complete record books at the conclusion of each years project work. Record books can be submitted in January to your local county extension office for judging. Winning county level books can be judged at the district and state level.
Cloverbud Record Book- ages 5-7
Junior Record Book: ages 8-10
Intermediate Record Book: ages 11-13
Senior Record Books: ages 14-15
Advanced Record Books: ages 16-19
Resources for Projects and Record Keeping
Arkansas 4-H record books are completed using a standard form. The following templates are provided for 4-H youth to use when completing their record books.
Record books may be submitted in any project affiliated with the Project Areas. A maximum of 10 Record books from each Project Area can be submitted from (10 Healthy Living, 10 Civic Engagement, 10 STEM, 10 Animal Science/Agriculture, and 10 Fine Arts) for Junior, Intermediate, Senior, and Advanced levels. Junior, Intermediate, and Senior books can qualify for District Judging following County Judging. Up to 5 winners in each Project Area in each of these age division will be selected as District Record Book Winners. Advanced Record books can qualify for State Judging following County Judging. Book Winners must score a minimum of 70% of the total record book score to qualify as a State Record Book Finalist. State Record Book Finalists will then participate in the interview portion of judging. There will be up to 42 State Record Book Winners. The number of State Record Book winners in each Project Area will be representative of the percentage of books submitted in each Project Area that meet the minimum qualifications to become a finalist. For example, if 65% of the qualifying books submitted are in the Fine Arts Project Area, 65% of the winners will be from that project area as long as the minimum score is met.
The final stage of record book evaluation for seniors involves an interview conducted at the Little Rock State Office that focuses on the familiarity of the 4-H youth with their project work. This interview is used to determine the winners senior 4-H record books.
