Information that all 4-H members need to know for project completion regardless of project.
Download General Project Information
Project Completion
What you need to know before you get started with project selection…
- All 4-H members must complete a project to complete their 4-H year.
- Completion of your project qualifies you to move on to any further county, provincial, or national 4-H competitions relating to that project in the current 4-H year.
- Achievement Day allows members to display their project work to the public and have their project work evaluated, non-competitively.
Project completion at Achievement Day
is based on the following system:
Green Project
A Green project completion sticker will be given to a member who has completed:
- Record Sheet
- Project Work
Plus, one of the following:
- Communications
- Club Contribution
- Judging
Silver Project
A Silver project completion sticker will be given to a member who has completed:
- Record Sheet
- Project Work
Plus, two of the following:
- Communications
- Club Contribution
- Judging
Gold Project
A Gold project completion sticker will be given to a member who has completed:
- Record Sheet
- Project Work
Plus, three of the following:
- Communications
- Club Contribution
- Judging
Projects & Competitions
Which ones will you choose?
So many projects to choose from! From sewing and cake decorating, to learning about your heritage or discovering how to care for sheep – there is surely something you will love to explore.
Project Work
Project work requirements (as outlined in the specific project newsletter) are evaluated according to standards for the project, with consideration to age and level of experience. A 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place ribbon will be given based on that evaluation. At Achievement Day, project work will receive a written or verbal evaluation. If members choose to complete a large item which requires an excessive amount of time or considerable costs, it can be taken under consideration as counting for more than one project completion. Please contact your Regional Program Coordinator (RPC) for approval prior to Achievement Day completion.
Record Sheet
Each member must complete a satisfactory record sheet. Record sheets may be handwritten or typed. For more useful information, refer to Record Sheet Guidelines. Record Sheets are evaluated at Achievement Day along with Project Work.
Communications
Members who participate in speaking and/or demonstrations will receive recognition on their Achievement Day Certificate. Each club has its own standards for communications, so members should confirm with the general club leader. Suggestions for club communications are available by contacting your Regional Program Coordinator.
Club Contribution
Members are encouraged to be actively involved in their club, county, province, and community. The club contribution is an assessment on a member’s attendance at meetings and events, attitude, effort, cooperation, and self-expression. Each club has its own standards for club contribution. Evaluation of this Achievement Day component is done by the Club General Leader and / or project leader(s). The standard for club contribution should be communicated clearly to all members by club leaders at the beginning of the 4-H year.
Judging
Members are asked to compare four (4) articles or livestock, evaluate them to place the class from first (closest to the ideal) to fourth (furthest from the ideal), and then give oral reasons on the class to an official judge. Regional Program Coordinators are available to assist with judging completion at club level using sample judging classes and photos. We encourage any member interested in creating a judging class as a specialty item to contact their RPC for further details.
General Information
Cloverbud: 7 or 8 years as of January 1st, of the current 4-H year. Cloverbud is non-competitive.
Junior Members: 9 – 13 years of age as of January 1, as of the current year.
Senior Members: 14 – 21 years of age as of January 1, as of the current year.
Club: 4-H members may register in the club and county of their choice, but must only be registered in one club, in one province. Members may register in one club and access projects in a neighboring club if that club is willing to assist with leadership of a certain project.
Achievement Day: If you are unable to attend your own club Achievement Day, please make prior arrangements with your Regional Program Coordinator
Livestock: To complete, each member must have their own (not shared) project animal (exception is the “Basics” projects). The animal that a member shows, and completes with, at their Achievement Day cannot be changed or substituted following Achievement Day.
School projects: School projects are not permitted to be used as 4-H projects. Resources: Each project member should ensure they have a project newsletter, record sheet and this general information sheet for each project they are enrolled. Leader guides are available to project leaders by contacting the Regional Program Coordinator. Clubs are reminded that the Regional Program Coordinator can provide additional resources on topics such as judging, meeting management, recreation. A practice judging box is also available in each region.
Additional Opportunities
Travel, contests, scholarships! Learn more about opportunities for 4-H Members beyond project work.
Be a Good Sport!
In 4-H, Sportsmanship plays a key role in living by the motto of ‘Learn to Do by Doing’. Please take the opportunity to consider good sportsmanship when at 4-H events. Here are some key factors to good sportsmanship:
The work in any 4-H project should always be done by the members. Hiring, or the use, of professionals and/ or adults to prepare projects for 4-H shows are not acceptable. Using these people as resources provides 4-H members with the information and skills to do the job on their own.
4-H Canada has a Code of Conduct in effect for all members and leaders. It is to be followed always throughout the year.
Good Conduct
Demonstrate and maintain high standards of personal behavior and conduct. You are representing your family, your club, your community and the 4-H program.
Fairness
Learn and follow the rules. Be objective and honest. No matter what the results try your best by using your true skills without cheating. Treat others fairly.
Honesty
Be a reliable person, do not lie or deceive. Be straightforward in everything you say and do. Understand your abilities and skills, accept the fact that you cannot do everything perfectly, but you still can do many things well.
Competition
Competition experiences enhance positive youth development and prepare youth with competitive knowledge, skills and attitudes. Take pride in your accomplishments and in improving your skills – you are all winners, even if the ribbon color doesn’t appear to reflect this.
Courtesy
Be well-mannered in your conduct. Be respectful, thoughtful, considerate, cooperative, friendly, and cheerful, no matter whether you do well or not. When you have concerns, questions, or suggestions, be polite in expressing them. Be pleasant and nice toward other participants, spectators, program officials, judges, the media, your leaders, parents and others. Give others the benefit of the doubt. Treat people and animals kindly. Keep your emotions under control.
Graceful Acceptance of Results
Accept judges’ results and suggestions with a positive attitude. The judge’s decision is final. Regardless of the outcome; thank all that were involved in helping you put forth your best effort. Thank the organizers for their efforts; Sponsors for their generous donations; Judges for their skilled eye and time given to the 4-H program; and anyone else who has helped you along the way.
