Keeping records is an important part of the 4-H experience. It helps members document what they have learned and accomplished while reflecting on their growth over time. Through record keeping, 4-H’ers can track their achievements and organize the skills they develop through projects, leadership, citizenship, and community service.
- 4-H Project Records document what a member learned and accomplished in a project area during a single program year. Members describe their activities, goals, and skills developed, helping them reflect on their progress and keep track of their experiences over time.
- Age divisions: 8–10, 11–12, 13–15, and 16–18.
- 4-H Portfolios document a member’s overall 4-H experience across a three-year period, while focusing on a single project area from the current program year. Members highlight their involvement, achievements, and skills developed, helping them reflect on their growth and capture their experiences over time.
- Age divisions: 13–15 and 16–18.
Project Records
State Deadline: March 1, 2027
(Check with your county 4-H office for local submission deadlines.)
Project Record Forms
- Google Doc Version (Digitally filled)
- PDF Version (Handwritten) - Coming Soon!
- Kaleidoscope Version (NEW ONLINE SYSTEM)
All Project Records (regardless of format) are printed and submitted physically to your county 4-H office.
Examples & Help
Sections of the Project Record
Project records are divided into several sections designed to help members document, organize, and reflect on their experiences throughout the program year. Each section highlights a different part of the member’s growth, involvement, and learning through 4-H.
1. Let’s Get to Know You!
- This section collects general information about the member, including contact information, age, county, and parent or guardian information.
2. 4-H Information
- This section includes basic information related to the member’s participation in 4-H during the program year, including project category, years in 4-H, club involvement, and age division.
3. 4-H & YOU!
- This reflection section gives members an opportunity to share personal thoughts about their experiences in 4-H, including favorite memories, important lessons learned, role models, and ideas for the future of the program.
4. My 4-H Story
- Members use this section to tell the story of their overall 4-H experience and personal growth throughout the year.
- This section may include reflections on project work, skills developed, goals, people who provided support, accomplishments, and the impact 4-H has had on their life.
- Maximum length: Four pages.
5. Leadership
- The leadership section highlights ways members have guided, taught, organized, or helped others during the program year.
- Examples may include holding offices, leading activities, mentoring younger members, teaching workshops, helping with events, or recruiting new members.
6. Citizenship
- The citizenship section focuses on civic engagement and involvement within communities.
- Examples may include representing 4-H at meetings, participating in civic education opportunities, promoting 4-H within the community, or communicating with elected officials.
7. Community Service
- The community service section highlights volunteer work and service activities completed during the program year.
- Examples may include food drives, community cleanups, fundraising efforts, nonprofit volunteer work, or projects that helped improve the community.
8. 4-H Awards and Recognitions
- This section includes awards, honors, and recognitions received through 4-H during the program year.
- Only 4-H related awards should be included in this section.
9. Non-4-H Experiences
- This section provides an opportunity for members to highlight important activities and experiences outside of 4-H.
- Examples may include school organizations, sports, Scouts, church groups, camps, conferences, jobs, internships, or other extracurricular involvement.
10. Photos and Supporting Materials
- Members may include supporting materials that help showcase their project work and 4-H experiences during the year.
- Examples may include photos, news articles, certificates, records, displays, charts, reflections, or other project-related materials.
- A maximum of six pages of supporting materials may be included.
11. 4-H Goal Setting
- This section encourages members to think ahead and set goals for the upcoming year.
- Members should describe what they hope to accomplish, how they plan to achieve it, and when they hope to complete their goals.
12. Project Focus
- The project focus section highlights the specific project area where the member spent the most time learning and participating during the program year.
- Members should describe project-related activities, learning experiences, and skills or knowledge gained through their project work.
13. Certification and Approval
- This final section confirms that the project record is complete and accurate.
- Required signatures from the member, parent or guardian, local 4-H leader, and county Extension agent must be completed before submission.
Project Record Categories
Project record categories help members organize their experiences based on the primary project area they focused on during the program year. Each category represents a broad area of interest within 4-H and includes a variety of related projects and activities.
Members may complete one project record per category each program year. Members participating in multiple project areas may complete additional project records in different categories.
- Animal Science
These projects focus on the care, management, health, and understanding of animals. Members may explore livestock, pets, wildlife, embryology, and other animal related experiences.
- Citizenship & Civic Education
These projects focus on serving communities, civic engagement, leadership, and understanding how individuals can make a positive impact through service and involvement.
- Communication Arts
These projects focus on creative expression and sharing ideas through visual, written, and spoken communication. Members may explore photography, public speaking, graphic design, journalism, theater arts, and digital media.
- Environmental Science
These projects focus on understanding the natural world, conservation, ecosystems, and environmental stewardship through hands-on exploration and outdoor learning experiences.
- Family & Consumer Sciences
These projects focus on practical life skills related to families, finances, food, creativity, and everyday living. Members may explore cooking, sewing, entrepreneurship, interior design, and personal finance.
- Healthy Lifestyles
These focus on physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Members may explore nutrition, fitness, safety, outdoor recreation, shooting sports, and other wellness related activities.
- Personal Development & Leadership
These projects focus on building confidence, leadership, responsibility, and personal growth through service, career exploration, hobbies, and skill development opportunities.
- Plant Science
These projects focus on growing, studying, and understanding plants and soil systems. Members may explore gardening, horticulture, crops, agriculture, and environmental growing practices.
- Science & Technology
These projects focus on exploration, innovation, and problem-solving through science, engineering, computers, robotics, mechanics, and emerging technologies.
- Sample Records (2024)
- Sample Record Books (Unity ID login required)
- Where Does My Project Category Fit?
Portfolios
State Deadline: March 1, 2027
(Check with your county 4-H office for local submission deadlines.)
Portfolio Forms
Score Sheets
- Project Record Score Sheets
- Portfolio Score Sheet
- Group Award Score Sheet
Additional Resources
New Online System
For the first time, 4-H project records may be completed online through Kaleidoscope.
Beginning in 2026, members have the option to use Kaleidoscope to complete and print their project record instead of filling out the traditional version.
Both options are acceptable for this program year. Members may choose the format that works best for them based on county guidance and personal preference. Regardless of which format is used, completed project records will still be printed and submitted as physical copies through your county 4-H program.
Kaleidoscope is used to create, save, and print project records electronically throughout the year. Final submission procedures remain the same as previous years unless otherwise instructed by your county.
Note: Portfolios cannot be completed using the online system at this time.
Using Kaleidoscope
Once a project record application has been started, progress will save automatically as sections are completed. Members may return to their project record at any time to continue updating activities, achievements, project information, and other required sections.
The Kaleidoscope version follows the same general structure and requirements as the traditional project record format while providing a more interactive online experience.
Printing and Submission
Kaleidoscope is used to complete and print the project record only. Project records are not submitted electronically through the system at this time.
Once completed, members should print their full project record directly from Kaleidoscope, along with the required signature page.
After signatures have been collected, printed materials should be submitted following county instructions and deadlines.
Important Notes
- Both the Kaleidoscope and Google Doc formats are acceptable for the 2026 program year.
- Project records completed through Kaleidoscope must still be printed for submission.
Kaleidoscope Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create an account and start an application?
- Go to the Kaleidoscope section of our website and click "Complete your Project Record via Kaleidoscope."
- You will be directed to the “Program Details” page.
- On the right side of the screen, click “Log in to Apply.”
- If you already have an account, enter your login information.
- If you do not have an account, click “Create an Account” and follow the prompts. Be sure to save your password.
- If you have trouble logging in, try a few different password combinations.
- After logging in, you will be taken directly to the application.
- Begin with the “Let’s Get to Know You” section.
How do I create another application?
To create a new application, first select the program details on the left side of the screen. Then return to the main home screen. If you are logged in, click the “View Applications” button on the right side. From there, select “Start New Application” under your current applications.
If you are not logged in and are on the program page, you will see options to “Log in to Apply” or, if you are a new user, “Start New Application.”
Can I have two children on one account?
Yes. Follow the steps to create a new application, but under the “Let’s Get to Know You” section and the application name field, specify which 4-H’er will be completing the application.
How can I tell the difference between my applications?
Each application has a unique identifying number located in the top right corner of the application tile on the dashboard.
How do I access Qualified Programs (Project Focus)?
Complete and “submit” your general application first, including all required sections. This initial submission does not officially finalize your application. Your application will remain open and editable until the deadline.
After submitting, you can access your Qualified Programs or Project Focus areas by clicking the “Qualified Programs” button within your application or from your application dashboard.
If you are completing more than one project record, you may select multiple Project Record Categories within the 4-H Information section. Be sure to click “Save” each time you return to make edits. Your changes will continue to update automatically in the system until the application closes.
Why can I only see limited information in the Leadership and Citizenship sections?
The system may limit how much information is displayed while you are entering activities. However, once the application is saved as a PDF and printed for review, all entered information will be visible to judges.
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