4-H Forms for Members
Record Books
Please use the Record Book Score Sheet and include dividers between each section and project.
1. Title Page
2. Table of Contents
3. Summary Record – All of your activities (4-H and other) throughout the year are recorded here as well as highlights of your projects (communications, awards, activities, etc.)
4. 4-H Story (Sample 4-H Stories) – Write a story about your 4-H experience last year. Be creative! You can summarize your year, talk about what you learned from your favorite project, or show how 4-H changed you. Seniors may choose to use this year's essay topic.
5. Project Pictures and/or Drawings – Must include a minimum of three pictures/drawings with captions. Keep in mind that we are looking for 4-H in action!
6. Project Records – You should have one project record per project/species. Complete Project Records include Communications (speech, demonstration, teaching, poster, etc.) and Exhibitions (show or display at fair, club event, or community event)
- General Project Record – PDF | MS Word
Use this for non-animal projects like Arts and Crafts, Shooting Sports, Food, Leadership, and Gardening.
Species Specific Project Records:
- Camelid Project Record - PDF | MS Word
- Dairy Project Record - available through the Dairy Extension Website
- Dog Project Record - PDF | MS Word
- Horse Project Record - PDF | MS Word
- Large Animal Breeding Record - PDF | MS Word
- Market Livestock Project Record - PDF | MS Word
- Poultry Project Record - PDF | MS Word
- Rabbit and Cavy Project Record - PDF | MS Word
- Small Pet Project Record - PDF | MS Word
Senior Record Books & Portfolios
Senior-aged youth (ages 14-18) may submit either a standard record book OR if they are considering applying for a National Trip, a Senior Portfolio. Please only submit a book in one of these formats. Information about the two types of books can be found below.
Senior Record Books - Step By Step
Please use the Record Book Score Sheet to review your work; include dividers between each section and project.
1. Title Page
2. Table of Contents
3. 4-H Resume – All of your activities (4-H and other) throughout the year are recorded here as well as highlights of your projects (communications, awards, activities, etc.)
4. Essay - Topic is updated annually, please look under "National 4-H Leadership Opportunities"
5. Project Records – You should have one project record per project/species. Complete Project Records include Communications (speech, demonstration, teaching, poster, etc.) and Exhibitions (show or display at fair, club event, or community event)
- General Project Record – PDF | MS Word
Use this for non-animal projects like Arts and Crafts, Shooting Sports, Food, Leadership, and Gardening.
Species Specific Project Records:
- Camelid Project Record - PDF | MS Word
- Dairy Project Record - available through the Dairy Extension Website
- Dog Project Record - PDF | MS Word
- Horse Project Record - PDF | MS Word
- Large Animal Breeding Record - PDF | MS Word
- Market Livestock Project Record - PDF | MS Word
- Poultry Project Record - PDF | MS Word
- Rabbit and Cavy Project Record - PDF | MS Word
- Small Pet Project Record - PDF | MS Word
Senior Portfolios
Seniors interested in applying for National Trips - including National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Congress, Camp Miniwanca, Virginia 4-H Congress and West Virginia Older 4-H Members Conference - may submit a Senior Portfolio instead of a standard record book for their Anne Arundel County record book obligation. Please refer to the Senior Portfolio Score Sheet for information on Anne Arundel County grading.
Note, the National Trip application process is separate. To be considered for a Leadership Trip, a 4-H member must complete a portfolio package which includes an Application, 4-H Resume, Essay and Interview. All information about about National Trip Opportunities can be found here.
Diamond Clover Award
Diamond Clover Awards are designed to encourage 4-H members ages 8 to 18 to engage in a variety of projects and activities that will enable them to acquire the skills necessary to lead successful lives as competent, caring and contributing members of society.
Things to Keep in Mind:
1. The Diamond Clover Award is designed for younger youth to begin at Level One and progress through six levels, one level per year, acquiring valuable life skills as he/she advances. Youth who are older when joining 4-H, may begin at a higher level (one through four) if mutually agreeable to the participant and the club/group leader with the permission of the 4-H Educator. It is recommended that 4-H member have completed one year in the 4-H program before starting the Diamond Clover program.
2. Youth meeting the requirements of levels one through four will be recognized at a 4-H County/City event. Youth meeting the requirements of level five and six will be recognized at an appropriate state event.
3. Diamond Clover Level Six Service Project Plan approval is not automatic. A youth must apply for Diamond Clover Level Six Service Project approval using the appropriate plan/report form due at the state level September 30th. DO NOT START PROJECT UNTIL APPROVAL IS RECEIVED FROM STATE 4-H OFFICE.
4. Diamond Clover Level Six Recognition is not automatic. A youth must submit all completed materials for recognition by September 30th to the State 4-H Office the year the project is complete. If appropriate guidelines are not followed, the project will not be recognized. All dates must be clearly adhered to for recognition.
5. Maryland 4-H defines leadership as the process of including others to accomplish a common goal by providing purpose, direction and motivation, while providing programs, activities and opportunities to allow youth to achieve and demonstrate knowledge and mastery of leadership.
For all Diamond Clover Forms and additional information click here.
4-H Forms for Organizational Leaders
Club Leaders Annual Requirements
Once established, clubs will send the county office annual forms; one set in August and a different set in February. Please see below for dates and forms.
Due By February 12
- Club Program Plan and Officer Roster (NEW)
- ByLaws: only send if a change was made
Due By August 31
- Annual Financial Summary Report Form
- Annual Property Inventory Form
- File your 990-N (e-postcard)
- Guide for filling - Please review before filling
Other Club Leaders Forms
- Updated Bylaw Template (for use in 2025) - Please contact office directly: jsim1@umd.edu
- Updated MOA (for use in 2025) - please contact office directly: jsim1@umd.edu
- Guidelines for Charitable Fundraising and Donations (Updated for 2025)
- Club Fundraising Request Form (NEW in 2025)
Group Leaders Annual Requirements
Once established, groups will send the county office annual forms; once set in August and a different set in February. Please see below for dates and forms.
AFFILIATED GROUPS
Due By February 12
- Memorandum of Agreement for current 4-H year: send in current version
- Officer/Board Roster
Due By August 31
- Annual Financial Summary Report Form
- Annual Property Inventory Form
- File your 990-N (e-postcard)
- Guide for filing
Due By February 12
- Memorandum of Agreement for current 4-H year: send in current version
- Officer/Board Roster