Sparks Charts & Record Books

4-H offers pathways that encourage members to build on their achievements, try a variety of projects, and gain acknowledgment for their accomplishments and progress. Members can earn titles, pins, and patches and may take advantage of other opportunities. And it all starts with filling out FORMS.

In this project, we’ll team up to make forms FUN, taking on the new and very simple Sparks chart for all who wish to submit their participation in our club’s projects to the regional and state 4-H levels for recognition.

And for members who like to write, scrapbook, and generally make things, we’ll meet to create Record Books. Record Books comprise a nationally recognized component of 4-H. A member’s Record Book includes their Sparks chart, as well as personal reflections and a showcase of their experiences in club projects. For older members, leadership involvement makes up an additional aspect of the Record Book. We’ll get everyone started, so you can finish up over the Summer and submit by the deadline for judging in the Fall.

Your completed Record Book is submitted at various levels for judging. Most importantly, though, it lives on as an account of your growth, and creating it is useful experience; adults who were in 4-H as kids cite the making of Record Books as one of the most valuable learning practices they got out of their time in the organization. You can learn more about Record Books here: https://ucanr.edu/sites/UC4-H/files/263720.pdf

Disclaimer: As a project leader, I’m new to 4-H recognitions. Let’s explore the wild world of incentives and Record Books together and enjoy some writing, making, and yes, filling out forms. Sign up for one or both.

For Record Book makers, if you do not have a Google ID and password, it’s best to create one before we start; we’ll use Google Docs for drafting. Each participant should bring a laptop if possible (we will have an extra or two).