Record Keeping
Step 1 - Get your record book
The picture on the left shows what the cover of the record book looks like. You should have this book from last year. Inside the cover are metal clips that slide to the middle, allowing you to bend up the tabs, and separate the book. You can keep old records in the book along with new ones, if you want.
Participation1.pdfAerospace.pdfStep 2 - Plan out your record book
There are 3 main parts you will need to have in your record book - a Participation Record, Project Records, and Pictures. The Participation Record is shown in the top picture, and in it you will include all the things you've done in 4-H in the past year. Below the Participation Record is an example of a Project Record. You will need to complete one of these for each project you took to the fair. The last thing you must have in your record book are pictures. Record judges want to see you doing your projects, and good pictures can add a lot to your records.
Participation1.pdfStep 3 - Participation Record
The Participation Record is where you will document your 4-H participation in the past year. You should also include a typed page of all the 4-H activities you participated in. To help you remember what you might have done this year, I have created a page of all the 4-H activities our club has done which you can view by clicking here.
It is recommended that you fill out all of your records digitally so they are neat and legible. The best way to do this is with DocHub. You can click here for instructions.
Step 4 - Project Records
You will need to fill out a project record for each project you took to the fair. There are specific record forms for each project area that you must fill out. On the right is a folder with all of the record forms. Most of the judging criteria is based on how thoroughly you fill these out.
Step 5 - Pictures
After you complete all of your record forms, you will need to add pictures to your record book. Attach them to cardstock or paper, and include a label with each one so judges know what they are looking at. You should have pictures of you doing your fair projects, as well as pictures of club projects or activities you participated in. If you were in the newspaper or received an award for something you did in 4-H, include those too.
Step 6 - Putting it all together
Once you have all your record materials completed, you can now put together your record book. Put all of your record sheets and pictures in sheet protectors so they won't be ruined. You can arrange your documents and pictures however you want as long as the judges will be able to tell what everything is. If you decided to keep previous years' records in your record book, make sure it is clear which content is from this year.
Finally, you can put everything inside the book. To separate the book, open up the cover and slide the metal clips to the middle, releasing the metal tabs. Bend the tabs up and pull the book apart. Slide all of your documents onto the metal tabs, so they rest on top of the folded part of the back cover. Put the front cover back on and secure the metal tabs so the book won't fall apart.