The Daring To Care program, created by the Mt. Ascutney Hospital nursing staff, offers Jr. High and High School students the opportunity to learn about the profession of nursing. Caring and motivated students must complete an interview process and a 17-hour course before being eligible to qualify as a Daring To Care volunteer at the hospital. Daring To Care student volunteers are mentored and supported during their work with hospital staff and patients. Student volunteers also earn community service credits while learning about rewarding careers in health care.

The volunteers participate in activities such as reading to patients and visiting with them, making beds, filling water pitchers, delivering food trays and feeding patients. Students interested in future Daring To Care programs should call Wanda L. Pockett, RN, BS, at (802) 674-7440 or Jill Lord at (802) 674-7224.