Good Shepherd Hospice's annual Camp Brave Heart, a weekend camp for children who have experienced the death of a loved one, will be held March 19-21 at the Circle F Dude Ranch in Lake Wales. This event helps children ages 6 to 16 share their feelings of loss with others and incorporates healing with fun, letting children know that life still has a lot to offer.

Camp combines exciting outdoor activities with opportunities for brief discussions led by professionally trained cabin leaders. Camp activities include arts and crafts, canoeing, swimming, horseback riding and a poignant memorial service. Click here for the camper information packet and application. The camper registration deadline is February 26.

Click here for the volunteer information packet and application.

Please return completed forms to Good Shepherd Hospice, Attn: Angel Sanders, 105 Arneson Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823 or fax to (863) 551-4832. For more information on registering or volunteering for camp, please call (863) 968-1707 or 1-800-753-1880.

January 7 was an unseasonably cold morning, but that didn't stop the community from joining Good Shepherd Hospice for the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Highlands County Hospice House.

At the ceremony, Good Shepherd Hospice Board Chair Kathy Fernandez announced that retired Sebring businessman Erwin "Bud" Somers made a significant gift in memory of his late wife, Donna. Prior to her death in September, Mrs. Somers recieved end-of-life care from Good Shepherd Hospice professionals.

In recognition of his generous gift, Good Shepherd Hospice will name the facility the Bud and Donna Somers Hospice House and Community Resource Center.

Good Shepherd Hospice is extremely grateful to Mr. Somers for his donation and to the entire community for its commitment to building the area's first freestanding hospice house.

Click here for more information about the ground-breaking ceremony and to see photos from the event.

Good Shepherd Hospice is proud to take part in the "Have You Had the Talk?" campaign, designed to give individuals in our community the tools they need to make their wishes for end-of-life care known.

The toolkit contains instructions on how to select a patient advocate and advance directives, such as a durable power of attorney form and do-not-resuscitate order. It also contains a worksheet designed to help families facilitate a conversation about end-of-life wishes.

To learn more about having the talk or to order a toolkit, click here.