K-State Research and Extension

4-H Record Books

Record Book Forms

ZSuite Project Records

ZBook Training Video

Couple of items to make note of:

• Youth may choose to use either record keeping option:
  • the fillable PDF Project report forms
  • or the online ZBooks software
• The Permanent Record is included in ZBooks.  If you choose to keep records with ZBooks, do not feel like you have to transfer over all of your previous years' activities into the online Permanent Record.  Start with this year and attach it to your previous document. 

To access the online record books, please visit ZBooks here.

These help links will get you started, as will the video tutorials below:

• Account Registration Instructions
• Creating Member Profiles
• Creating a New Project Report
• How to Download/Submit a Project Report Form and/or Permanent Record

** If you don't want to complete your record book forms online, you can still complete your record book by using the pdf forms. **

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 Ford County 4-H Program. Such as:

• 4-H Record Books give members an opportunity to reflect on their work annually. 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.
• Completing a 4-H Record Book is a process where 4-H members record project and club work. Records management is competency skill to identify, create, classify, archive and preserve records. The 4-H Record Book teaches 4-H members these skills through a standard format.

Make Record Books Valuable

1. Use your Record Book as a tool for sharing and reflection!
2. Set project goals early.
3. Set aside time at the end of the 4-H year to reflect on those goals. Think about what was a "success" and "unsuccessful." What made them succeed or not succeed? What changes could you make in the future?
4. Educate on the difference between "What I Did" and "What I Learned." The "What I Did" is literally what you did. While the "What I Learned" is a reflection on what you took away from your time spent on the project.
5. Keeping a record of your 4-H projects can help you when you apply for college scholarships too!
6. By recording your activities you can remember all the fun you've had so far!