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With the success of Provocations Bette received a sizable cash bonus as part of her compensation package from the CAC. She used part of the money to fund that year’s Porter Art Gallery Scholarship which was offered to under privileged children ages six to sixteen that showed aptitude for the fine arts. The scholarship was part of the arts program that Bette founded and funded at the West Hollywood Family and Youth Center. Bette and Peggy were both strong believers in fostering young talent, and as such entered into a joint business venture as co-owners of the Big Bear Lake Camp for the Arts (BBLC for the Arts).

Bette and Peggy partnered with their good friends Phyllis Kroll the Chancellor and Leigh Ostin the Dean of the School of Arts at California University (CU) to design the programs. They employed CU graduate students majoring in the arts to do spring and summer break internships to staff it. Bette also recruited three artists annually to volunteer their time and talent for a few weeks each summer to teach an art course in their preferred medium.

BBLC for the Arts was located approximately two hour’s drive from Los Angles on 250 acres of beautifully landscaped lakefront property. Bette and Peggy each owned a three bedroom cabin and several guest cottages that could only be accessed from a private road separate from the public areas of the camp.

Bette spent one week a month during the summer at the art camp. The Porter Art Gallery scholarships covered the tuition for six children (three boys and three girls) to attend the programs. Bette would take a special interest in these children as she escorted the small group to cultural events in the surrounding area including plays, art festivals, museum visits and the like to expose their young minds to different facets of the arts and culture. The camp was fully self-sufficient and staffed to offer theater, dancing, acting, music and literary programs along with the usual sports, swimming, fishing, boating, horseback riding, hiking and many other activities.

BBLC for the Arts offered a wonderfully unique and enriching experience for children and young adults who had an interest in pursuing careers in literature, music, performing and or fine arts.