Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior in high school
- Have an interest in welding, agricultural mechanics, or the skilled trades
- Be able to attend the full duration of camp
- Submit their application before the application deadline
What Students Will Experience?
Camp participants will:
- Receive hands-on welding instruction from experienced educators and industry professionals
- Learn about welding safety and AWS certification standards
- Explore careers in welding and skilled trades industries
- Visit university facilities and learn about college pathways
- Build leadership, teamwork, and technical skills
How does it work?
All camp expenses are covered through support from the USDA and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Students are responsible only for transportation to and from San Marcos, Texas.
The Next Gen Welding Camp is a nationally competitive program that selects a limited number of students each year. Participants are chosen based on their application, interest in welding, leadership potential, and commitment to personal growth in the skilled trades industry.
2026 Camp Lead Teacher
Hi, y'all! My name is Dr. Whitney Figland. I am currently an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education at East Texas A&M University. I received my Bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in Agriculture and Life Science Education in 2017 and right after graduation pursued my Master's degree at Louisiana State University. I obtained my Master's degree from LSU in Agricultural and Extension Education in 2019. After graduation, I got a job and taught in a small rural school in SE Louisiana with a primary program focused on Ag Mechanics for 3 years. I enjoy working with students to pursue their passions and help them develop and achieve their personal/career goals. I also enjoy working with students to help them develop into future agricultural educators and advocates. Currently, I am working on multiple projects that focus on School-Based Ag Education teacher preparation, specifically within problem-solving/critical thinking skills development. I am also focused on STEM integration in technical content areas, like agricultural mechanics. My line of research is dedicated to narrowing the workforce development skills gap among agriculture students, so they are efficient and effective problem-solvers, critical thinkers and productive communicators in the agricultural sectors.
Camp Directors
2026 Camp Coordinators
2026 Camp Ambassadors
Lilli Kirby
My name is Lilli Kirby, I’m from Jarrell, TX. I am currently a junior at Texas State, studying Agriculture with a concentration in mechanics. In my time at Texas State University, I have been a member of CFFA, recently Vice President of the Agricultural Mechanics Association, and one of last years ambassadors for the NexGen camp. Beyond college, I have been involved in ag mech for many years, starting my sophomore year of high school where I participated in many shows and competitions.
Emily Felty
Hi! My name is Emily Felty, and I am an incoming sophomore at Texas A&M University, where I am majoring in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technologies with a minor in Project Management. My extensive agricultural mechanics experience includes building over 30 ag mechanics projects that have been shown all across the state of Texas. Additionally, I have judged ag mechanics shows and previously served as a Next-gen Welding Camp Ambassador. Looking ahead, my future career plans are to leverage my engineering and project management background to innovate and lead within the manufacturing and mechanical engineering sectors.
Jenna Schultz
Hey yall! My name is Jenna Schultz! I am going into my senior year at Texas State University getting my Bachelors in Agricultural Education! I started agricultural mechanics in high school, showed projects at major shows and placed well at the shows I attended! I’ve continued my involvement in agricultural mechanics and FFA through my position as an undergraduate researcher, club membership, and holding officer positions in Collegiate FFA. I have judged various agricultural mechanics shows and assisted in hosting many different agricultural mechanics related contests and workshops. I am excited to serve everyone as an ambassador for this camp! Looking forward to meeting everyone!
Ryan Parsons
Hey, I'm Ryan Parsons, and I am excited to be a Student Ambassador for the Next Gen Welding Camp this summer. I am currently a senior at Texas State University studying Agricultural with a concentration in Mechanics. I have loved welding since high school, and that passion inspired me to start my own welding business, where I specialize in repairing stainless steel equipment for restaurants. Through both school and my own experience, I have learned the value of hard work, attention to detail, and taking pride in the projects I have built. I am looking forward to working with everyone at camp, helping students learn new welding skills, build projects, and gain confidence in the shop.
Quinn Smith
Hi I’m Quinn and I’m a current senior at Texas State University where I am majoring in Agriculture mechanics with an expected graduation date this December. I am originally from San Antonio and came to Texas state in 2022, since then I have worked under Dr. Anderson as a shop intern. As an intern I have designed and fabricated different projects for other professors and programs in the agricultural department. This year i had the pleasure of being invited to be a judge at the San Antonio Stock show and rodeo ag mech show.
Special Thank You To:
Thank you to the Wayne & JoAnn Moore Charitable Foundation and Union Pacific Grant Program for making this camp possible!
