Questions and Answers
How do I join 4-H?
If you are interested in joining Loma Vista 4-H, you can email us at lomavista4h@adelphia.net or just show up to one of our meetings! The date and location of our next meeting is usually posted on the home page of our website. If you come to one of our meetings, a 4-H officer or leader will be glad to help you out.
If you are looking for another 4-H club in your area, you can search by zip code at the state site, www.ca4h.org.
What is a Record Book?
A
record book is a log or diary of all participation in 4-H. A new one is due
every year, with all of the required forms completed and included. It is not
required, though a completed
record book earns the member stars, recognition, stripes and medals for your
hat, cash prizes, and is a great thing to have when applying for college or a
job!
Record Book Cover: The green cover that holds all of the following forms. These can be purchased at the club store table at club meetings. The same record book cover can be used for multiple years.
PDR (personal development report): This is an overview of the entire year in 4-H. It is divided into categories and is one of the first thing that the judges look at. It includes community service hours, events attended, projects completed, and more.
Project Reports: Each project you want credit for needs it’s own project report form. This is where you record how many meetings you went to and what you did at each meeting. There is also a place to keep track of items made, profits if sold, and expenses. There is also a place to write something about the project, draw a picture, or glue a photograph.
Awards Application Sheet: This form is very
important if you want to receive an award for your record book or for a specific
project. Here, the member also lists completed projects for all years in 4-H, not just
the current year.
Record books are judged on content,
neatness, clarity and presentation.
These forms can be picked up at the county 4-H office, though most of these forms can be downloaded from this site on the electronic forms page and be typed and printed on the computer instead of handwritten. Anyone who has done a record book before knows how hard and frustrating it is to rewrite those intricate forms because of just one mistake! Typed pages also look neater and are easier and clearer to read.
Record Book Guide Packet
How Do I Organize My Hat?
The
4-H hat is a symbol of your involvement and dedication to your club as well as a
way to show off your achievements in 4-H. A hat is not required for your
participation in 4-H.
Green Hat: (Junior Members) Members in 8th grade or lower
White Hat: (Senior Members) Members that
have graduated from 8th grade.
Right Side (The side with the clover):
Behind the clover are the record book stripes. The medals associated with the
stripe’s year can be pinned directly above the corresponding stripe or
elsewhere on the hat. Next are the
year pins and the officer pins for every year, not just the current year. If a
100% attendance pin was earned, then it can be pinned on this side as well.
Left Side: Across from the clover are the
stars. Most members choose to wear only the current star, though others prefer
to “cascade” them, with the current star on the top. Next is the Junior or
teen leader patch and pins. The patch is only worn during the time when the
member is serving as a teen or junior leader, though the pins should always be
worn and should include all of the years served.
Either Side: Other pins and awards can be worn on either side as the member sees fit. Examples: Presentation day medals, project pins, and other awards.
Only 4-H issued pins and patches can be worn on your hat. No large fair medals, medals or ribbons from other organizations, buttons, or personal jewelry may be worn, especially if you are competing or representing 4-H at an event.
