AUBURN — Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine Auburn/Lewiston Clubhouse is introducing a new slate of summer programming aimed at reaching more youth throughout the Twin Cities.

The revamped programming will run from June 25 to Aug. 17 and will offer open hours during peak times for its traditional $5 annual fee, with extended care hours available for $40 a week.

“We are excited about the opportunity to serve more children and teens throughout the region by opening our programming hours to any youth interested in a fun and exciting summer environment,” said Andie Hannon, unit director of the Auburn/Lewiston Clubhouse. “And the extended care hours continues offering parents an affordable daycare option.”

Instead of the program’s traditional summer camp model, the club hopes to reach more kids throughout the summer days and provide more opportunities for a positive, safe environment.

Open door club hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended care hours available from 7:30 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m. daily for the $40 fee.

All ages will be welcome between these hours, with daily scheduled activities in the gym, gamesroom and learning center, as well as field trips to local parks and swimming pools.

Members paying for extended care will be offered first choice on the scheduled field trips four days a week in the following areas: hiking, photography, historical sites and beaches. The trips go primarily to state parks, historic sites and museums.

“This is definitely going to be a huge shift for our clubhouse,” Hannon said. “And staff members are already hard at work scheduling programs aimed at attracting and serving youth of all ages – from 7 years old to teens.”

Hannon cited a strong partnership with Maine State Parks and the club’s goal to introduce area youth to the state’s natural resources. Past summer camp programming set the goal to visit all 48 state parks ­­­­­when Maine introduced its Passport program in 2010. Thus far, the local clubhouse has introduced members from the Twin Cities to more than 30 state parks in the last two years.

Hannon said many of the daily field trips – which can accommodate up to 10 members – travel to various parks and historic sites throughout the state. Sign-up sheets will be available for one week prior to these trips on a first-come, first-serve basis for members whose families pay for extended care hours. The day before the trip, any remaining slots will be made available for other members.

“Really, the small fee for members coming during open hours who want to attend any of the field trips simply helps cover the transportation costs,” Hannon said. “But those members who attend extended care hours will be able to attend trips at no additional cost.”

As in the past, the clubhouse will offer weekly swimming trips to Kennedy Park in Lewiston, and the opportunity for youth wanting to get involved in community service projects throughout the Twin Cities.

For more information on summer programming at Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine’s Auburn/Lewiston Clubhouse, call 782-2446.