About
Gardner Camp Youth Programs include hands-on activities such as Youth Waterfowl Hunting, Youth Deer Hunting, Youth Dove Hunting, Archery, Air Rifle, and Shotgun Wingshooting. Participants also take part in Astronomy, Hunting & Trapping Safety, Kayaking, Fishing, Water-Based Adventure, Trail Hiking, Outdoor Skills, Wetland & Waterfowl Ecology, and Wildlife Education & Management.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
Gardner Camp Youth Programs are part of Gardner Camp, a not-for-profit, private foundation established by the generosity of the late John Willis “Jack” Gardner, II, and managed by State Street Bank and Trust Company. The mission of Gardner Camp is the promotion of outdoor recreational and educational activities with its primary emphasis on youth programs. Gardner Camp reports an average time spent outside of 5.3 hours, more than 7,000 outdoor educational experiences, an average group size of 10.4 kids, and 31 or more community partners and program affiliates. Community partners and visiting or partner organizations include groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, YMCA, Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, Quail Forever, USA Archery, John Wood, Kroc Center, and others from multiple Illinois and Missouri counties. The Advisory Board includes members from communities such as Quincy, Kinderhook, Nebo, Barry, and Hull, with staff roles including a Director, an Assistant Director of Programming & Administration, and an Assistant Director of Hunting. Facilities and equipment used in the programs include a 3D Archery Range, Trap Range, Trap Shooting Range, High Powered Telescope, Wetland Study Docks, StarLab Planetarium, Accessible Passenger Trailer, and an Outdoor Classroom. Parent and partner feedback includes comments describing the planning and experience level of staff as “amazing,” referring to events as “WOW experiences,” and noting that kids were excited to attend programs at Gardner Camp.
Last updated May 24, 2026.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
Gardner Camp Youth Programs are part of Gardner Camp, a not-for-profit, private foundation established by the generosity of the late John Willis “Jack” Gardner, II, and managed by State Street Bank and Trust Company. The mission of Gardner Camp is the promotion of outdoor recreational and educational activities with its primary emphasis on youth programs. Gardner Camp reports an average time spent outside of 5.3 hours, more than 7,000 outdoor educational experiences, an average group size of 10.4 kids, and 31 or more community partners and program affiliates. Community partners and visiting or partner organizations include groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, YMCA, Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, Quail Forever, USA Archery, John Wood, Kroc Center, and others from multiple Illinois and Missouri counties. The Advisory Board includes members from communities such as Quincy, Kinderhook, Nebo, Barry, and Hull, with staff roles including a Director, an Assistant Director of Programming & Administration, and an Assistant Director of Hunting. Facilities and equipment used in the programs include a 3D Archery Range, Trap Range, Trap Shooting Range, High Powered Telescope, Wetland Study Docks, StarLab Planetarium, Accessible Passenger Trailer, and an Outdoor Classroom. Parent and partner feedback includes comments describing the planning and experience level of staff as “amazing,” referring to events as “WOW experiences,” and noting that kids were excited to attend programs at Gardner Camp.
Last updated May 24, 2026.
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