ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Pam Nickel

Volunteering is its own reward

Over the years, she has worked with other leaders to create a program that teaches everything about riding and caring for horses. “We meet twice a month to do book work,” she explained. “We cover the basics including breeds, tack, confirmation, grooming, colors and any of the other fundamentals.” When it comes to riding, they are willing to work with their group on any facet of equine. “We’ve have done Western/ English Dressage, Cowhorse, Jumping, Ranch, Roping, Gymkhana, Light Horse Show Classes and Reining. Basically, we want to give a good variety to the group,” she said.

Along with the equine activities, they also do general skills including things like baking, sewing, leather work and whatever crafts she and her fellow leaders come up with. “We have some very creative members. They request specific crafts so I go on You Tube and practice until I can teach it. My kitchen has been full of glitter and hot glue a few times,” she laughed.

The combination of activities has obviously resonated with the youth members because there is a waitlist to join their group. “Unfortunately, we have to limit it because we can only fit so many people in the arena at one time,” she explained.

While there are so many positives that come from volunteering as a 4-H leader, seeing youth members succeed in life can be one of the most heart-warming rewards. This is what 4-H Leader Pam Nickel has discovered in her 27 years as an equine leader for the 4-H club in Swan River, Manitoba. “I have seen these members grow into remarkable people,” said Nickel. “They all go in different directions when they’re done, but they have all found success. We often say that we’re creating the leaders for the future, and I believe that.”

Nickel herself did not become involved in 4-H until she was a grade 12 student and was only in 4-H Beef for one year. However, it was not long before Pam was asked to teach equine to a group of 4-H members. “I actually wasn’t very good at it for the first bit,” she laughed, “but I had the opportunity to keep learning and improving. I think it worked because I’m just a big kid at heart.”

She is quick to praise her co-leaders for getting involved. “I’m really fortunate to have great leaders for the group,” she claimed. “Everybody throws out different ideas and we try to make them work. “The seven leaders in her group range from ages 25-70, and she and one other leader are the only ones with children currently in the club. Nickel herself taught for more than a decade before her own two daughters, now aged 9 and 11 joined. She says she thinks people are drawn to volunteer because it is so rewarding to watch the kids develop skills and advance in their abilities.

When it comes to volunteering, she says there is one excellent reason why she has continued to be involved for 27 years. “We all have fun,” she said. “It’s probably why I don’t have a hard time recruiting. People want to be part of this great program.”