4-H Record Books

The 4-H program has a long history of record keeping. The focus reflects the importance of this life skill in our daily lives. In 4-H, young people have tracked their activities, events, profits and losses, skill development and learning experiences, and much more using the iconic 4-H Record Book. In addition to record keeping, the 4-H Record Book gives members an opportunity to reflect on their year, measure their achievements and growth, and set goals, and develop plans to meet those goals.

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 their learning experiences in a written report. 4-H members measure their achievements and growth in their total years in 4-H.
4-H Record Books encourage members to set goals, pursue strategies to meet those goals, and to shift gears in the face of challenges and obstacles. Completion of the Personal Development Report awards 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 identifiy, create, classify, archive, and preserve records. The 4-H Record Book teaches 4-H members these skills through a standard format.

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

Online Record Book at http://www.ca4h.org/4hbook/

Need help logging on? Read this document: ORB Log-In Help Sheet

Online Record Book Guide can be found here: Online Record Book Guide v1

Enrolled 4-H members and adult volunteer leaders may access the Online Record Book. The system uses 4hOnline enrollment data to pre-fill in club and project information.

The system will export the forms needed for submitting a hardcopy Record Book at the end of the year. So use the 4-H Online Record Book!

The 4-H Online Record Book:

Has a social connection! It extends opportunities to stay connected to other club members and leaders online.
Is a fun and interactive way to log 4-H activities and events.
Is a more efficient way to keep Record Book information. No more worries about lost pages or misplaced work.

ORB Training Team Opportunity
We are currently putting together a team of people to help identify, develop and deliver trainings for the Online Record Book. If you have been using ORB and would like to contribute to the design and presentation of ORB trainings for the state via webinars and conference calls, please contact Scott Mautte at 530-752-9388 or by email at scmautte@ucdavis.edu for more information. Click on the following link to view the position description. ORB Training Team Position Description

Record Book Training and Resources

4-H Record Book Competitions

Record Book Competitions:

Provides an incentive to members to record their project work and personal achievement in their 4-H Record Book.
Members receive feedback and encouragement on their 4-H project skill development, leadership and citizenship development, and record-keeping skills.
Members are recognized for outstanding 4-H work.