Gardner Camp announces Keaton Bartz as new director

HULL, Ill. — Gardner Camp has announced the hiring of Keaton Bartz as its new director. A native of Hannibal, Mo., Bartz previously worked as a math teacher and soccer coach for Hannibal Public Schools. He earned a B.S. in secondary education from the University of Missouri and a masters degree in Education from Culver-Stockton College.

In a press release, Bartz said, “I am excited for this new adventure where I get the opportunity to work with a wonderful team to carry out Mr. Gardner’s wishes to provide area youth with an extraordinary outdoor experience.”

John Willis “Jack” Gardner, II entrusted his family camp to State Street Bank’s Trust Department for development and maintenance to allow utilization by not-for- profit organizations that focus on youth. It was Gardner’s desire that the primary emphasis of the camp be to provide access to youth programs in outdoor recreational and educational endeavors.

“We are thrilled to welcome Keaton to Gardner Camp and are excited about the energy and excitement he brings as we continue and expand our exceptional outdoor programming,” said Laurie Brinkman, vice president and trust officer of State Street Bank, trustee of the JW Gardner II Trust.

The private foundation established to run the camp began in 2012. The property had been owned by members of the Gardner family for many years and was a popular recreation spot for multiple generations of local waterfowl hunters.

Bartz adds, “This opportunity represents everything that I stand for. I am blessed to help provide the best outdoor experience for our youth, and cannot wait to see where we can take the camp.”

Gardner Camp is a not-for-profit, private foundation established by the generosity of the late John Willis “Jack” Gardner, II. The camp consists of approximately 540 acres of land located in the Mississippi River bottoms near the Village of Hull in Pike County. Gardner Camp offers outdoor educational programming to youth in Adams and Pike ounties and surrounding counties.

For more information, visit www.gardnercamp.org or call 217-242-3534.