FREDERICK, MD - Some teens around Frederick are working hard, but it's not for a summer job.

A group of kids are broke a sweat and dug holes at Hospital Park for six hours on Tuesday.

"Digging holes isn't the most fun thing, but it's still fun. It's better than staying at home," 16-year-old Tristan Strickland said.

About 30 kids ages 11 to 17 are giving up part of their summer to do service projects for non-profit groups. It's all part of the United Way of Frederick County's Summer Serve.

"I wanted to meet new people, and I thought it would be nice to give back to my community," Strickland said. "I've done it before, and it's always been a blast. I've seen Frederick grow through all the programs we do."

"I'm hoping that it's going to make people's lives better, that it's just going to make things easier for them, and I'll get a good feeling from that," 15-year-old Maddy Augustine said.

The kids do projects related to education, income, and health. They're digging holes for a born learning trail.

"What will be here will actually be 13 different signs that we'll be installing. Each sign will have a different learning and language activity for parents and caregivers to do with the kids," said Brian Duchon, community impact director with the United Way of Frederick County.

Teens had to dig the hole two feet deep. The projects are more than working with dirt to them. It's a way to pave a better community for everyone.

"We get to help at our age, at our young age, when we are 11 to 17. We get to help now, and it'll probably get us to help as we're older too, and it'll keep us involved in the community," 15-year-old Jake Freas said.

"It gives people a chance to see these kids in a different light," Duchon said.

It will help the people of Frederick live in a different light, one shovel at a time.

Summer Serve started on Monday and continues for six weeks. For information on how you can join, click here.