There are many amazing volunteers at Five Rivers MetroParks, and each month we take time to honor them in our Volunteer Spotlights. Although many people have a fondness for horses and express interest in opportunities at the Carriage Hill Riding Center, it is those volunteers like Norma Dycus that truly shine. "Norma is a great volunteer who is always willing to step in and make sure all our daily chores get done efficiently. She is friendly and wonderful to have at the barn. I really appreciate her kindness as she works with our horses during trail rides, pony rides, or just moving them to and from their stalls and pastures", says Christina Northrup, Equestrian Specialist.
Norma began volunteering in December 2023 after relocating to the Dayton area from Arizona. There she volunteered for a horse rescue and sanctuary where she helped gentle and train mustangs, a role that she loved. Norma initially had difficulty adjusting to the Dayton area, missing her volunteer work with horses, when a friend suggested she check out volunteer opportunities at Carriage Hill MetroPark. Norma did just that, onboarding as a long-term volunteer and quickly completing her Barn Aide qualifications to begin volunteering with the horses at the Carriage Hill Riding Center. For Norma, volunteering with MetroParks was a natural choice for her because it involves so many of her loves - physical activity, children and, of course, horses!
Barn aide duties at the Riding Center offer Norma a good physical workout year-round and supporting Pony Rides is a special treat in the summer and fall. "The enthusiasm of the kids is so much fun to witness, and I certainly get my steps in on those days", Norma shared. Her favorite day of the year is the Halloween Pony Rides. Thanks to the staff's creativity each pony is outfitted in a unique Halloween costume delighting the children and families who participate or stop by to see the ponies. Norma also assists with trail rides. These trail rides bring her back to her childhood filled with so many memories of being on the farm where her love for horses began.
She likes variety in her volunteer work at the Riding Center: "Between Barn Aide duties, Pony Ride Assistant, and Trail Ride Assistant, I am never bored. I want to donate my labor to a worthy cause that benefits my community", she shared. "Plus, I really enjoy working with the staff at the Riding Center. We have a lot of fun even when it is cold or hot or physically challenging. The staff is supervising and teaching, working alongside the volunteers not just telling us what to do. It really feels like a team."
The appreciation is mutually shared. "Norma has been a wonderful addition to our volunteer community at the Riding Center. She is always happy to help, eager to get the job done, and does it well! She is one of the toughest volunteers braving the cold out here, which has been greatly appreciated. She does a great job with the horses and shows her appreciation for them every chance she gets, which is always so heartwarming to see", said Megan Ferrari, Staff Lead and Equestrian Specialist.
Norma encourages others interested in volunteering to "explore the website, visit a park, check out a special program, and ask questions of volunteers and staff." Like her, she feels at MetroParks there is a match of interests and capabilities for just about everyone. Find your fit with MetroParks!
Thank you, Norma, for your outstanding commitment, dedication, and service to Five Rivers MetroParks!
Interested in supporting the Carriage Hill Riding Center with Norma? NOW is a great time to get involved! Spring Barn Aide training dates are coming up in March and April. Learn more and begin training today by visiting our volunteer training library and completing the initial virtual training here.
Meet more AMAZING volunteers by viewing our Volunteer Spotlights on our Volunteer Blog here.
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Volunteer Services Volunteer Services is available if you have questions or need assistance in signing up. Contact us at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275. Your Volunteer Services TeamAllie Parks & Conservation # (937) 274-3176 Amanda Ambassador & Special Events, Interim Administration # (937) 277-4109 Yvonne Outdoor Connections Programming # (937) 277-4147 Jenny Human Resources Manager of Volunteer Services Interim: Animal Care & Animal Programming and Court Appointed Volunteer Service # (937) 567-1413 
Return to the Volunteer Blog here.
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