It’s time for 4-H end of year reflection! Project Record Books, Participation Reports, and Special Awards are due to the 4-H Office on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 4:30pm. We encourage youth to reflect on their project work, community service and other 4-H activities annually.  To motivate youth, Dane County 4-H provides an opportunity to earn 4-H pins, certificates, and financial awards.

**We need a few new adults & older youth to join the 4-H Awards and Recognition Committee! Meet once a month and make a difference. Interested? – reply to this email and I’ll answer all your questions.**

New to 4-H record keeping and recognition opportunities? Here are a few quick definitions:

• Project Record Book – a standard way of keeping track of youth progress. The book is made up of these forms:  picture page, activity summary, project record pages, front and back cover. All forms are found on the 4-H Record Keeping Page under Project Record Keeping Forms. Typically, youth develop their goals in Fall/early Spring. Youth can submit books for review on the project areas that they enrolled in by March 1 in 4HOnline. The completed books are due to the 4-H office on or before 4:30pm the Tuesday after Labor Day. Each club submits their books together, not individually. Learn more with the Dane County 4-H Record Book Manual (updated 12/2024).
• Youth may apply for a maximum of 4 project awards in a 4-H year.
  • Four project award maximum may include: 2 different project pins and 2 project certificates (after receiving a pin in that level).
  • Youth in 3rd, 6th, and 9th grade may only apply for 2 project pins. No certificates.

• Permanent Record & Participation Report – a cumulative report of all your activities throughout your 4-H career. It’s updated annually and is required for financial awards, scholarships and special awards. Learn more with the Permanent Record and Participation Report Manual (updated 12/2024). Email Lisa Curley with any questions or suggestions related to the manual/forms. These forms can be requested using this 4-H Project Record Book and Permanent Record Order Form.

• Special Awards – these awards recognize a member’s contributions in Leadership, Citizenship/Community Service, and/or Achievement. Click links to access the appropriate form.  

• 4-H Key Award and Educational Travel Experience Funding Awards use the 4-H Member Evaluation Form as an application. See the 4-H Record Keeping and Awards page for more information and updated Travel Experience Funding manual.  

• The Individual Awards Request form has been updated and notes what is required for submission.

Talk to your club leader about 4-H award completion/submission. All club paperwork should be dropped off by one individual so work with your club leader if your youth is submitting anything.

If you still have questions, please email 4Hinfo@countyofdane.com.

We will need adults to review the award submissions in September. Watch for an email in August with more information about this opportunity.

*Special thanks to the Dane County 4-H Awards and Recognition Committee Volunteers who spent many hours this past year updating the manuals for the record keeping and awards processes!