FREEPORT – Jobs for Maine’s Graduates learned some valuable lessons, had a little fun and contributed to a worthy cause, as well, earlier this month, during the “Freeport Adventure” held at three businesses in town.

Freeport High School JMG students acted as leaders and chaperones on Nov. 8 as their counterparts from Durham Community School and Freeport Middle School learned job-readiness skills and leadership, and improved their community connections.

They participated in a scavenger hunt at Bow Street Market that netted $80 worth of food for the Freeport Community Services Food Pantry. Moreover, the students chose clothes at L.L. Bean meant for a professional job interview, taking photographs of the clothes they selected. At Olympia Sports, they sorted shoes from a pile and placed them in racks according to their sizes.

“This was great in two ways,” said Jay Harper, Jobs for Maine’s Graduates instructor at Freeport High. “It gave the younger students a way to go out and meet the adults of the community. This year, we stepped it up with the stops at Bow Street, Olympia Sports and L.L. Bean.”

In the scavenger hunt, students worked in small groups to complete a specified list of tasks. Those tasks included introducing themselves appropriately, completing challenges, and displaying appropriate behavior in the businesses they visited.

According to its website, Jobs for Maine’s Graduates helps students “reach their fullest potential. JMG serves more than 5,000 students from grades 6-12, in 76 programs throughout Maine. It is JMG’s goal to provide these students with the skills and resources they need to overcome challenges, and to graduate from high school prepared to succeed in postsecondary education and the workforce.”

Sydney Harnden, a senior at Freeport High School, is enthused at the selection she is about to make during a Jobs for Maine Graduates scavenger hunt at Bow Street Market.Following the Freeport Adventure on Nov. 8, students got a little thirsty. Here, Freeport High School student Emily Murphy pours water for Freeport Middle School student Chris Roberge.