Ondessonk Counselor, Molly Baxley, Named Conservation Achievement Scholar

Molly Baxley is one of just eight recipients of The Illinois Conservation Foundation’s prestigious 2025 Conservation Achievement Scholarship. The $2,000 scholarship recognizes high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding voluntary dedication to the preservation, protection, enhancement, and promotion of Illinois’ natural resources.

Baxley’s environmental efforts span leadership, education, and direct action. A former camper and current counselor at Camp Ondessonk, Molly teaches Leave No Trace principles, maintains trails, and encourages younger campers to care about the natural world. She was also an active member of her school’s FFA chapter, where she promoted sustainable agriculture and stewardship.

Her dedication to conservation began at an early age. “I first attended Camp Ondessonk with my family when I was eight years old, and I’ve returned every summer since,” Baxley shared. “It’s where I learned how to be a leader, gained confidence, and developed my love for the outdoors. Camp Ondessonk sparked my passion for conservation.”

That passion has grown into a clear career path. This fall, Baxley will attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale to major in Conservation and Wildlife Management. Her goal is to become a conservation police officer and help protect places like Camp Ondessonk for future generations.

“I’m so thankful for the role Camp Ondessonk has played in shaping who I am,” she said. “The friendships, values, and experiences I gained there will stay with me forever. I hope to give back to the world in a way that reflects all that I’ve learned from Camp.”

With her strong roots in outdoor education and environmental service, Baxley is poised to make a meaningful impact on Illinois’ conservation landscape.

Click here to learn more about Camp Ondessonk’s Outdoor Education Programs.