The Bright Lights Program

This is a St. Mark's Episcopal Church program, sponsored by Children's Ministries and Outreach.

Since December 2002, the Bright Lights Program has taught children about helping others through monthly visits to a nursing home that include a program of singing and giving away crafts that the kids have created for the seniors. This program is open to any child who wants to participate, regardless of whether they attend St. Mark's. More that half the kids do not attend St. Mark's.  This web site contains information about the program and details for parents of the participants.

Bright Lights in the News: Palo Alto Weekly article

Bright Lights on YouTube: Bright Lights Theme Song

Program Benefits

• Empowering children. In today's world, children rarely get a chance to truly make a difference. Bright Lights gives them that opportunity.
• Learning by doing. The best way to teach kids about helping others is to give them the opportunity to do so. This is what Bright Lights does.
• Families with wide age ranges can participate together. Although the program targets ages 4-12, we have had children as young as 2 weeks old and as old as 15 participate. Parents often participate with their kids, helping make the crafts and singing the songs.
• Public speaking/singing experience for all. All children are welcome to announce songs and sing solos or duets. No child is ever turned down for inability to carry a tune or because we think they are too young. We have had kids as young as two announce songs and three-year-olds sing solos.
• Positive, exuberant, inclusive environment. At Bright Lights, kids can be themselves and that can get quite loud. That's just fine. We let kids be kids. The seniors love it when the little ones run around and do silly things. This program is open to any child who wants to participate, regardless of whether they attend St. Mark's. More that half the kids do not attend St. Mark's. Although we sing Christian songs, those of any belief are welcome.

About the Program

• Bright Lights Brief - The basics of the program, dates and contact information
• Pictures - Shots from Prep Sessions and Nursing Home Trips
• Bright Lights Music - Songs used in the program, including lyrics, music, and sing along practice files.

Additional Information

• How to Join - The basic requirements and logistics of joining Bright Lights.
• Bright Lights Snack Guidelines - Suggestions about what to bring/not bring and logistics.
• Program Guidelines - Policies and preferences for the program.
• Training Script - What children learned in the first session each year. (OLD but still useful)