MEXICO – A handful of curious teens has grown to more than a dozen who are learning about respect, the benefits of community service, and a lot about the roles of law enforcement officers.

“I’ve always wanted to be a police officer,” said Cam Barrieau, 15, a sophomore at Mountain Valley High School and a member of the group since it started in April. “I saw the ad, and my family knows Chief (Jim) Theriault. It sounded interesting.”

According to the 14 young men and women who attend the twice-monthly meetings at the Mexico Police Department and myriad outside activities involving physical training, community service, and just plain fun, the new Explorer group is more than interesting.

“It sounded like a good experience,” said Joshua Walker, 16, who joined only a month ago. “I thought it would look good on my (college) application.”

The Explorer Post 364 is the largest police post in the state, and the only one in Oxford County, said Joseph Gallant, a private contractor who has gone through the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and serves as an adviser.

Each session begins with a business meeting where Capt. Seth Marshall, 18, guides the members through plans for activities and other events, making sure each person respects the thoughts and comments of others.

On Thursday, after a moment of silence, they were planning a fundraiser for a police explorer post member in Florida who was shot and killed when he tried to intercede during a robbery.

“That’s why we tell people not to intervene. You aren’t police officers,” said Mexico officer Dean Bennett, one of the post advisers.

One cadet took responsibility for organizing a car wash, with money raised going to the young man’s family.

They also chose two members to help during the annual Night of Appreciation in Mexico where volunteers are honored, and virtually the entire troop plans to attend in their uniform T-shirts, dark pants, boots and caps.

Meghan Beale, 17, a sophomore at Dirigo High School, said she likes the close bond she has developed with other members. She hopes to be a defense lawyer and thought learning about police and community service would help.

While learning discipline and respect, the cadets are also learning to help others.

A few posted “school opening” signs just before classes started earlier this month. Others helped secure roads during the New England Road Rally in July, and some or all of them have cleaned Roxbury Beach, painted athletic field bleachers, and taken on other tasks.

They also have a good time.

There have been kayaking trips and other outdoor events, as well as fundraisers like bake and yard sales.

Robert Drouin, 16, wants to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Central Intelligence Agency. Becoming a police officer might be a good first step, he said.

“I want to save lives,” he said.

Levi Rajaniemi, 16, also wants to be a police officer.

“This looked like fun, being with cops and staying out of trouble,” said the Mountain Valley High School sophomore.

Gallant said post members arrange for guest speakers. Oxford County deputies have appeared, and on Thursday, Maine State Trooper Scott Dalton and his bomb-sniffing dog, Mikey, provided a demonstration and information on what it takes to be in the bomb-finding unit.

Mexico Sgt. Roy Hodsdon and his wife, Renee’, as well as Theriault, Mexico officer Chuck Beale, and bail commissioner Robert Gurnell are also among the group’s advisers.

Gallant said anyone ages 14 to 21 from Oxford County is welcome to join.