Joe Nenzel is part of the University of Nevada, Reno's Pack that doesn’t teach in the classroom, but is out volunteering in the community to help others. Nenzel is in the field mentoring youth as part of Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program every week, without fail. He attends every practice, not just to oversee but actively engage, teach and mentor.

Every Saturday, Nenzel devotes his entire day to rifle instruction as part of his duties as head of the 4-H Shooting Sports Club in Douglas County, ensuring each participant receives thoughtful, hands-on guidance. As the season winds down, he adds Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings to his schedule. His reliability is a powerful example of service with purpose, and a great example of The Wolf Pack Way.

Nenzel received multiple nominations for Nevada’s 4-H Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, and received the award for his outstanding commitment to the 4-H Program and the youth it serves. According to Lindsay Chichester, Nevada 4-H Youth Development Program leader, Nenzel's impact extends beyond the range. He builds lasting relationships with youth, encouraging growth in both skill and confidence.

“When participants receive hunting tags, he doesn’t just offer advice – he helps identify hunting areas and offers to guide them,” Chichester said.

“His passion for the outdoors is matched by patience, kindness and integrity. He doesn’t seek recognition; he simply shows up week after week because he believes in the mission of 4-H and in the potential of every youth.” 

Nenzel grew up in Douglas County, where his father was the school principal, and he himself was a member of 4-H, participating in traditional clubs raising dairy, cattle and swine. His son was also in 4-H, and now his granddaughters are in 4-H, with one of them raising her two 4-H show pigs at his place and also being involved in the Shooting Sports Club.

While Nenzel decided to join the U.S. Marine Corps to serve his country after high school and is a member of the University’s Pack as a volunteer for 4-H, many of Nenzel's family members have attended the University.

“My family has been going to the University forever – great uncles, my grandad, my dad, my uncle, brother, sister – my mom was a history major in the 60s,” he said. 

4-H Leader Joe Nenzel, shown here with 4-H club member Kaylee Thompson, is a steady and guiding presence in the lives of youth he mentors and leads as part of University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program. Photo by Kristie Thompson.

Nenzel got back involved in 4-H as a volunteer for the 4-H Shooting Sports Club about 13 years ago.

“A friend of mine’s daughter started a shooting sports program, and they didn’t have anyone to teach rifle,” he said.

So, Nenzel jumped in and said yes, passing along the skills he had acquired in the U.S. Marine Corps. His wife, Dawn, jumped on board to help as well. Now, while Nenzel is on the range coaching, Dawn works behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. They coordinate with families, adjust to schedules and create opportunities for as many youths as possible. They also make it possible for youth to participate at no cost.

“We do such a good job raising money for these kids to be able to participate,” Nenzel said. “We provide all the guns, bows, ammunition – parents don’t have to provide anything. It’s just about keeping the kids involved.”

Keeping the kids involved in the Shooting Sports Club ends up transforming into so much more, according to the kids and parents involved.

One youth participant shared, “Joe opened the door to opportunities I never knew existed. As someone from a single-parent household, I can say that Coach Joe’s kindness and consistency gave me something deeply meaningful – perhaps the closest I’ll come to having a strong, supportive father figure. His belief in me changed my life.”

The Nenzel’s shared dedication has created not just a program, but a community, according to Chichester.

“Their leadership, generosity and belief in youth embody the very best of 4-H,” she said. “By teaching firearm safety and responsible hunting, Joe instills lifelong values in every young person he mentors.”

Nenzel said that the parents are also involved, and he thinks that makes a big difference.

“It just seems that these kids, they’re all well behaved, they listen to you, they take instruction well,” he said. “I don’t think you could get a better group of kids than these 4-H kids.”

Some of the kids have special challenges, and he finds working with them the most rewarding of all.

“A gal wrote up a real nice letter for me. She has some special challenges and stuff,” he said. “I just really love the love that I get back from working with the kids. I loved working with some of the kids we have had in the past with some physical challenges. We had a kid shooting rifles, shotgun and a bow out of a wheelchair. Helping those that really need the help, I really like that.”

Nenzel said that he knows it takes a lot for the parents just to get their kids to and from the activities and support them, but he wishes that more parents and adults would also volunteer.

“I think mostly they are just scared to do it,” he said. “But, a lot of people who help volunteer, they’re not into archery or anything like that, but they learn right along with us, and the kids will follow our lead. I would say, just don’t be afraid to do something you’re not comfortable with.”

As the Pack celebrates National Volunteer Month, Extension encourages more people to get involved with volunteering for 4-H. More than 6 million youth in the country participate in 4-H programs, led by more than half a million volunteers. Studies show that youth who participate in 4-H are twice as likely to make healthier choices, feel positive about their wellbeing, and participate in science activities outside of school. They are also four times more likely to make a positive contribution to their communities. A proud alum of 4-H is our own University President Brian Sandoval.