Not every teen is spending their vacation on the beach this summer. As our Maria Valvanis explains, teens from across the country are meeting in the Mohawk Valley this week, helping others help themselves.

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BROADALBIN, N.Y. -- Camper Brady Lawmen said, "The experience over all is really great. I love seeing the smiles on people's faces."

These aren't your typical teenagers, and this isn't your typical summer break. The 480 teens invading the Mohawk Valley are spending their money, and their time, to help people they've never met before.

"We've been painting the house and the shutters, and right now I was washing the siding," said camper Ellen Diehl.

"They spend $390 each, they come and spend for the materials and food," said Reach Workcamps Executive Director Mike Jones.

It's all part of Reach Workcamps. Youth groups from all over the nation come together
for a week-long mission of service to help those who can't afford to help themselves.

"They're building a deck on the front and a 40-foot wheelchair ramp on the back. We've got quite a few roofs we're shingling, we're painting," said Jones.

"It's so inspiring and you get to meet amazing people and you get to help others which is so rewarding and such a blessing," said Diehl.

The camp originated back in 1992 and Jones tells us it was actually a donation made by Paul Moyer, the former pastor here at Broadalbin's First Presbyterian Church, that got the camp started.

"I call him the Good Samaritan of work camps. He saw a need, and he tried to get a resource to help that need," said Jones.

Campers are staying at Broadalbin High School for the week. They will work long hours to complete a total of 43 homes, a small price to pay for a reward they say is priceless.

"It's so rewarding. Even though we don't actually get anything, it's the feeling we get, it's amazing," said Diehl.

"Helping people who really can't do without it, and meeting new people, it's just great," said Lawmen.