HULL, Illinois. Keaton Bartz has been named the new director of Gardner Camp. Bartz, a native of Hannibal, Missouri, was once employed by Hannibal Public Schools as a soccer coach and math teacher. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.S. in secondary education and Culver-Stockton College with a master’s degree in education.
“I am excited for this new adventure where I get to work with a wonderful team to carry out Mr. Gardner’s wishes to provide area youth with an extraordinary outdoor experience,” Bartz stated in a press release.
Willis, John Jack Gardner, II gave his family camp to the Trust Department of State Street Bank to construct and maintain so that youth-focused non-profit organizations might use it. Gardner wanted the camp’s main focus to be on giving young people access to programs for outdoor leisure and education.
As we continue and grow our outstanding outdoor programming, we are happy to have Keaton join Gardner Camp and look forward to the energy and excitement he brings,” said Laurie Brinkman, vice president and trust officer of State Street Bank, trustee of the JW Gardner II Trust.
In 2012, a private foundation was set up to manage the camp. The Gardner family had owned the land for many years, and it had been a favorite hangout for local waterfowl hunters for many generations.
“This opportunity embodies everything I stand for,” Bartz continues. I feel privileged to assist in giving our young people the greatest outdoor experience possible, and I am eager to see where the camp may go.
Gardner Camp is a private, non-profit organization that was founded thanks to the kindness of the late John Willis Jack Gardner, II. The camp has around 540 acres of land in Pike County, close to the Village of Hull, on the bottom of the Mississippi River. For young people in Adams and Pike counties as well as neighboring counties, Gardner Camp provides outdoor educational activities.
Call 217-242-3534 or visit www.gardnercamp.org for additional information.
