 During schoolyear 1934–1935, Kilbourn was named head of the College of Commerce.He also introduced the Palmer Method of penmanship and was one of the organizers of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, serving on its executive board with General Carlos P. Romulo, Secretary Jorge B. Vargas and General Vicente Lim.During World War II, Kilbourn was interned by the Japanese, along with the other American Brothers and Religious.