Hill College hosts successful eighth annual Kids College
Ashlee Ferguson
Thursday, August 20, 2026 3:46 PM
Academics, General Events
Hillsboro, TX
This June, Hill College hosted 130 campers for the eighth annual Kids College. The camps, held over two weeks in June at both the Johnson and Hill County campuses, provided a variety of hands-on activities for students entering the first through eighth grades.
Programming was geared toward fostering interests and engagement in curated courses that align with the college’s four career pathways—Arts & Humanities, Business & Industry, Health & Public Service, and STEM. All activities offered were designed to inspire community engagement, build relationships, and provide an early introduction to higher education.
“Both of my children loved the camp! They made friends, learned new things, and participated in so many classes that they enjoyed,” said one parent.
This year’s camp offered students the opportunity to engage with college instructors, area educators, Hill College students, and representatives from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program and the Texas Through Time Fossil Museum located in Hillsboro.
The Texas Through Time Fossil Museum once again facilitated its popular Permian Playground class, and the Texas A&M AgriLife team provided campers with an introduction to food science with their “Be a Food Scientist” course.
Additionally, Michele Goldman from the City of Hillsboro Library conducted coding and programming workshops for students.
Other courses included American Sign Language, EMS Training, Cyber Kids, Let’s Put on a Show!, and Volleyball and Mini-Sports, among others. An Esports course and auto-training course (Under the Hood) was offered for students going into the fifth through eighth grades.
Campers at the Johnson County Campus (JCC) participated in a service project, creating summer-themed greeting cards for recipients of Cleburne’s Meals on Wheels program. Over 50 cards were made and delivered with meals, an example of the college’s commitment to serving its communities.
“My daughter was excited every day when she came home. She enjoyed all the hands-on activities, crafting, and learning new history and information,” said another parent.
The college’s Communications & Marketing Department hosted a logo decorating contest at the Hillsboro County Campus (HCC) where students were able to experiment with their version of two different Hill College logo designs. Winners were awarded with Hill College items, and every contestant received a commemorative prize.
This year, Kids College was supported by a generous grant—the Youth Career Exploration Event 2026 grant—sponsored by and in partnership with the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) on behalf of Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas (WSNCT) and the Jobs Y’all initiative (JY). The grant was awarded to provide preteens and young adults opportunities to explore career pathways and connect with local resources to further their education and future careers.
Atmos Energy generously donated water for campers, volunteers, and staff, which was greatly appreciated.
“I am thrilled with the outcome and support received for this year’s camp. Kids College continues to provide students with an exciting summer experience combining fun with meaningful educational opportunities for our communities. Campers learn from area educators by participating in activities that foster critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, and life skills. It truly offers the best of both worlds—an engaging summer adventure that also inspires lifelong learning, personal growth, and community involvement,” said Youth Services Outreach Specialist & Kids College Camp Director Jocelyn Williams.
For more information on Kids College, contact program coordinator Jocelyn Williams at jwilliams1@hillcollege.edu or 254.659.7627.