Lone Star College-University Park’s Criminal Justice Department hosted its annual True Crime Camp this spring, bringing more than 180 high school students from Tomball, Magnolia and Klein ISDs to campus for an interactive introduction to the criminal justice field.
Throughout the day, students explored criminal law, court systems and crime scene investigations through breakout sessions, demonstrations and conversations with criminal justice professionals.
“’True Crime Camp’ is designed to bridge the gap between interests and action. It shows students what a future in criminal justice can look like while also introducing them to a supportive starting point here at Lone Star College,” said Alicia Castillo, Criminal Justice faculty member. “It also introduces them to a diverse catalog of possible criminal justice careers. Most students think of lawyers or police [but] there are a lot more things out there to do, and I love the opportunity to show in that.”
With support from Lone Star College Police, the Klein ISD Police Department and Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s K-9 Division, the camp included demonstrations in traffic simulations, defensive tactics, room clearance, a mock crime scene investigation and K-9 operations. Students also observed a mock trial led by Judge Shannon Baldwin of Harris County Criminal Court No. 4 with support of her law students.
The event combined classroom concepts with live demonstrations to give students a closer look at how the criminal justice system operates in practice. Participants engaged with professionals, explored key subject areas and experienced multiple parts of the field firsthand.
To learn more about the LSC-University Park’s Criminal Justice program, please visit www.lonestar.edu/ciminal-justice-dept-universitypark.htm; for more information about classes or to register online, visit www.lonestar.edu/upstudentsupport, call 281-290-2600, or email UPAdvising@LoneStar.edu.
About Lone Star College-University Park
LSC-University Park offers more than 70 programs of study, including credit and non-credit courses, workforce training, and continuing education classes. Classes are available during the day, evenings, and weekends in traditional, online, and hybrid formats.
Established in 2012, Lone Star College-University Park has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing and most innovative higher education institutions in the country. The college, led by President Matthew Dempsey, Ed.D., is devoted to impacting the community’s prosperity and upward mobility through student success. LSC-University Park’s expert and compassionate faculty and staff provide students with holistic and immersive education and training in disciplines and industries that meet current and future workforce needs.
Located on the grounds of the former Compaq Computer Corporation and Hewlett Packard’s world headquarters, LSC-University Park’s facilities include the Center for Science & Innovation, the Energy & Manufacturing Institute, Learning Innovation Labs, and the Geology Rock Wall. It is also home to the University of Houston-NW Downtown, Lone Star Corporate College, and iSchool.
About Lone Star College
Lone Star College System (LSCS) enrolls over 90,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSCS is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Mario K. Castillo, J.D., serves as Chancellor of LSCS, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2025 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education. LSCS consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu