About Us

Puck Markham created Camp Lightbulb in 2011 as one of the first overnight camps for LGBTQ+ youth in the US or anywhere. A core component of his vision was the creation of a Rainbow Squad: a group of validated and confident LGBTQ+ youth who support and have fun with one another. Spaces like Camp Lightbulb are rare but critically important to the healthy development of queer youth.

Our youth are six to eight times more likely to be bullied, homeless, depressed, or suicidal, and 80 percent experience severe isolation. These statistics explain why they are four times more likely to commit suicide than their heterosexual peers. Camp Lightbulb is an effective antidote by creating a safe space where youth can build confidence and community. After camp, 92 percent of campers report feeling more connected and 89 percent report growing in confidence.

We create fun, safe, and happy spaces with a focus on personal exploration and development. Our camps incorporate seven main elements: Art, Community, Fun, Learning, Outdoors, Service, and Well-being. Camps are relatively small, with a high counselor-to-camper ratio, allowing for lots of personal attention. Everyone gets to know each other, which creates a close-knit community that continues long after camp ends.

We chose Provincetown as our primary home because of the town’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community that has sustained for generations. Since its founding, Camp Lightbulb has expanded to New York City and Los Angeles, both home to flourishing LGBTQ+ communities of their own.

Our commitment to connect campers to the LGBTQ+ community separates Camp Lightbulb from similar spaces. We intentionally host our camps in the heart of LGBTQ+ communities so that campers see the beauty of a community unapologetically flying free and can manifest a sense of pride within themselves.

Camp Lightbulb started with nine campers in 2011 and has since welcomed more than 400, with 150 attending this year alone. Campers range in age from 15 to 18, identify across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, and come from across the United States and Europe. Around 25 percent come from communities of color, 30 percent are trans, and 50 percent return to camp. We operate a needs-blind registration policy with ROUGHLY 30% of campers depending on financial aid

Camp Lightbulb is a 501(c)3 nonprofit (EIN: 45-2643441) and a proud member of the American Camp Association and the Massachusetts Camping Association.