AUBURN — Teens from the Twin Cities are learning the importance of giving back while improving the future of their community as part of the 2012 Great Futures Road Trip at Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine’s Auburn/Lewiston Clubhouse.

“It’s been great getting the kids out in the community,” said Mike Austin, youth resource coordinator for the clubhouse and lead on this year’s Great Futures Road Trip.

Great Futures Road Trip offers area seventh-graders through ninth-graders a chance to explore their future options while participating in a wide array of local efforts.

The program focuses on the three big C’s facing area students as they prepare for life after high school: college, career and community service.

“It’s great to be out in the Auburn community helping out,” said Roger Charest, one of nearly a dozen teens from both side of the river who participated in the program throughout the summer.

Teens recently joined forces with members of the United New Auburn Association for a day-long clean-up project at the Barker Mill Trail in New Auburn. Twelve teens spent the day helping volunteers clean the trail that runs along the Little Androscoggin River between the lower and the upper dams.

The privately-owned trail is maintained by volunteers under the guidance of Androscoggin Land Trust. The group has been working to reestablish the walking trail for the past couple years.

“Androscoggin Land Trust is very supportive of neighborhood groups taking the initiative to steward local trails,” said Michael Auger, director of land protection and stewardship for the organization. “We’re happy that ALT’s relationship with the generous landowner ultimately resulted in the re-establishment of this important trail.”

As part of the eight-week program, teens have spent the summer visiting colleges throughout the region, exploring career opportunities and participating in community service projects throughout the Twin Cities.

“This is awesome that the kids are out here. Many hands make light work,” said Stephen Martelli, a member of the United New Auburn Association. “Kids today sit in front of the television, computer and video games too much. They need to be outside breathing fresh air.”