NC 4-H Awards Programs
North Carolina 4-H hosts competitive and incentive programs that are "staples" to 4-H Club membership and goals. See the NC 4-H Awards Handbook for more information.
4-H Project Records
4-H Project Records document what a member learned and accomplished in a project area during a single program year. Members describe their activities, goals, and skills developed, helping them reflect on their progress and keep track of their experiences over time.
4-H Project Records for 2026 will be due at the office on Monday, January 4, 2027.
4-H Project Records will be moving to an online format beginning in 2027!
Would you like help navigating 4-H Project Records and the new online system? We will be hosting a project record training on Tuesday, September 22!
Why do a 4-H Project Record?
The information on your 4-H records will be useful as you fill out other forms in your life, such as 4-H portfolios, resumes, job applications, and college applications.
Helps a youth set and attain certain set goals.
Monetary rewards $50 -up depending on if you place with your project record or portfolio.
Age divisions: 8–10, 11–12, 13–15, and 16–18.
NC 4-H Project Record Forms: (Forms differ based on age category). **Official Project Record Forms must be used.**
Click here for ONLINE 4-H Project Records
Beginning in 2026, members have the option to use Kaleidoscope to complete and print their project record instead of filling out the traditional version.
Both options are acceptable for the current program year. Members may choose the format that works best for them based on county guidance and personal preference. Regardless of which format is used, completed project records will still be printed and submitted as physical copies through your county 4-H program.
Kaleidoscope is used to create, save, and print project records electronically throughout the year. Final submission procedures remain the same as previous years unless otherwise instructed by your county.
Note: Portfolios cannot be completed using the online system at this time.
Using Kaleidoscope
Once a project record application has been started, progress will save automatically as sections are completed. Members may return to their project record at any time to continue updating activities, achievements, project information, and other required sections.
The Kaleidoscope version follows the same general structure and requirements as the traditional project record format while providing a more interactive online experience.
Printing and Submission
Kaleidoscope is used to complete and print the project record only. Project records are not submitted electronically through the system at this time.
Once completed, members should print their full project record directly from Kaleidoscope, along with the required signature page.
After signatures have been collected, printed materials should be submitted following county instructions and deadlines.
Important Notes
- Both the Kaleidoscope and Google Doc/PDF formats are acceptable for the 2026 program year.
- Project records completed through Kaleidoscope must still be printed for submission.
Click here for Project Record *Official Forms!*
Cloverbud (5-7 years old) Google Doc *Cloverbud project records only go to the County level
8-10 and 11-12 years old (Word Document)
8-10 and 11-12 years old (Fillable PDF)
8-10 and 11-12 years old (Google Doc WITHOUT examples)
13-15 and 16-18 years old (Word Document)
13-15 and 16-18 years old (Fillable PDF)
13-15 and 16-18 years old (Google Doc WITHOUT examples)
See the 4-H NC Awards Handbook for Project Record categories!
Project Record Information At a Glance
Information at a glance:
- Project Records can be typed or written neatly by hand. There are instructions on the forms that explain how to format your project record. Make sure you carefully read the directions and follow them closely.
- Listing your community service, citizenship, and leadership activities are all important parts of 4-H! You can list activities that you have done as a Club, County, individually, or with an outside organization.
- Only two project record books can advance to District from one individual in one year.
- A 4-Her can only place gold once in the same category / age for project records. For example, if you are 9 years old and place gold in 8-10 aged Animal Science, the next year, if you submit an Animal Science record you could only place silver. However, once you turn 11 and are competing in the 11-13 aged Animal Science, you could place gold again.
- Break up the sections to complete over time rather then all in one sitting.
- Reach out to your Club leaders/fellow members to see if they have suggestions or records for community service, citizenship, and leadership completion over the year.
Click here for Example Project Records
What should a project record look like once it is completed? Click below for an example of a completed project record.
(8-12 Age) Sample Project Record #1
Click here for "How To" Videos on creating Project Records!
How to" create a project record! videos below:
- Section 1 - Personal Information and Folders
- Section 2 - 4-H Story
- Section 3 - 4-H Project Focus
- Section(s) 4 (8-12), 4-6 (13-18) - Leadership, Citizenship, Community Service
- Section(s) 5 (8-12), 7-8 (13-18) - Awards and Recognition
- Section(s) 6 (8-12), 9 (13-18) - Photos and Supporting Materials
- Section(s) 7 (8-12), 10 (13-18) - 4-H Goals
4-H Portfolios
4-H Portfolios document a member’s work in a project area across a three-year period. They combine multiple years of project records to show continued involvement, skill development, and growth within the same project area.
Age divisions: 13–15 and 16–18.
4-H Achievement Program
The 4-H Achievement Plan is a cumulative record that youth update once a year. It tracks everything they do in five areas: Participation, Community Service, Communication, Civic Engagement, and Leadership.
The form is cumulative, meaning youth keep adding to the same document each year as they move through 4-H. Each activity, presentation, service project, or leadership role adds up to a total number of points that determines their Achievement Level.
AND the Achievement Program, Honor Club Application, and AIRE applications coincide with one another in terms of 4-H achievements and experiences, streamlining a 4-H'er's work.
Only one level can be earned each year, but the plan carries forward, so every experience continues to count toward future recognition! Each level includes a certificate, a level pin, and scholarship funds that can be used toward future 4-H events:
- Cloverbud (ages 5–7): Goodie Bag!
- Green: $10 & badge
- Bronze: $25 & jewel
- Silver: $50 & jewel
- Gold: $75 & jewel
- Emerald Achievement: $100, jewel & customized belt buckle, or jacket
**FOR 2026 ONLY! 4-Hers can fill out their Achievement Plans from the year they started until the year 2026! After 2026, 4-Hers only record what they have completed in the year 2027.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 6-7:30 p.m.
4-H Achievement Plan Henderson County Training
Scholarships
4-H Scholarships recognize members for their involvement, leadership, and achievements in the 4-H program while supporting their continued education beyond high school.
State 4-H Deadline: February 2, 2026
(Check with your county 4-H office for local submission deadlines.)
Resources
2026 Academic Scholarship Guide (Google Doc copy)
2026 Scholarship Application (Program Year 2025) (Google Doc copy)
4-H Honor Club
Often a defining moment for many 4-H’ers, induction into the NC 4-H Honor Club is one of the highest and most prestigious forms of recognition that one can receive during their 4-H career.
Why be a part of Honor Club?
Being a North Carolina 4-H Honor Club member is more than just an honor. It is the chance to give back to the 4-H program using the knowledge and skills that 4-H helped you to gain. Honor Club seeks members who want the opportunity to contribute to the club’s motto – Service – by continuing their involvement even after aging out of the 4-H program.
How do I join the NC 4-H Honor Club?
Submit an NC 4-H Honor Club Application.
Membership in the North Carolina 4-H Honor Club is bestowed upon 4-H’ers who have exhibited outstanding 4-H citizenship, leadership, and service throughout their 4-H career. An Honor Club member continues to provide leadership and service to the total 4-H program throughout life.
- Honor Club applicants must have completed three (3) or more years of 4-H club work, must be at least sixteen (16) years of age and not more than twenty (20) years of age as of January 1 of the year of their application.
- The total number of applicants inducted into the NC 4-H Honor Club each year shall be limited to one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the current enrollment of North Carolina 4-H members, or forty (40) members, whichever is greater.
- To become a member, selected applicants must be in attendance during the Tapping Ceremony at the evening assembly at 4-H Congress.
