OUR HISTORY
Mission Statement
Bright Lights is a nonprofit organization that takes learning beyond the classroom by providing youth with unique, motivating, hands-on educational opportunities.
Bright Lights was established in 1987 by two mothers, Barb Hoppe and Jan Dutton, who wanted to create a “Mental Olympics” for their young children as they noticed budget cuts in public school summer programs. What started as a graduate school project for Barb and Jan quickly developed into a full-fledged initiative just three months later. Both women equally funded the first year’s operations, recruiting teachers known for their subject expertise and strong hands-on teaching skills.
In its first summer, Bright Lights operated out of Lincoln Public School’s non-air-conditioned Hawthorne School, attracting 281 students across 28 camps. By the second year, a board of directors was established, and the organization formalized its Articles of Incorporation and bylaws. Bright Lights then successfully applied for and received federal non-profit 501(c)(3) status, paving the way for fundraising opportunities. In its third year, the program expanded to include need-based scholarships.
Additional services to families now include Before Care and Lunch Care. Bright Lights continues its working relationship with Lincoln Public Schools by renting an elementary school building for the summer camps. The program has expanded to middle and high school buildings for some camps, including camps that require specialized labs. Additional community site locations (such as UNL, Innovation Campus, Pioneers Park and Holmes Lake) have enhanced learning, emphasized career awareness and allowed the program to expand camp offerings.
Both the number of students enrolled and the number of camps offered have increased significantly since the program started. In 1988, 474 students enrolled in 34 camps. In recent years, enrollment figures showed approximately 1,600 students enrolled with more than 2,200 registrations in about 125 half-day and full-day camps.
Student have always paid a program fee to attend camps. These fees provide approximately half of Bright Lights’ revenue, and the remaining funding comes from generous foundations, businesses, community service groups, families and individuals within the community.