PARIS – With bake sales, car washes and fund-raising suppers planned into the fall, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School’s French Club has every intention of getting 31 students overseas.

The group has been joking about traveling to France since starting lessons with French teacher Anne Smith three years ago, club member Charles Howes said Thursday. Now the students have decided to turn the excursion into a reality as they attempt to raise $20,000 by January so every student can afford to go.

The trip cost is $1,500 per student, Howes said. The club is attempting to raise $700 for each of the 31 students.

“This is the first trip to France in quite a while for our school,” Howes said.

According to the itinerary, the students will each spend five days with French host families before reuniting to tour Paris.

This weekend marks the next big fund-raiser for the French Club, which has been holding car washes and bake sales, and selling raffle tickets, since June.

The students will hold a two-day yard sale at the high school from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The following weekend, Howes said, there will be a door-to-door bottle drive. Then the students are planning a public supper on Aug. 28 and a Franco-American celebration in the fall.

The students represent every town in the region except West Paris, Howes said.

Donations to the club may be made through the high school. People who want to donate items for the yard sale may contact Kim Crocker at 674-3670.