The South Portland Recreation Department is partnering with the South Portland Land Trust to create a community service project for middle-school campers.

The summer camp is open to South Portland children entering Grades 6-8, and is operated at Mahoney Middle School.

In addition to the usual activities, which include trips to the beach and state parks, participants will learn about South Portland’s urban trails and parks, including the greenbelt system, which is used by walkers, runners and people on bikes.

“We want to show the kids what is in their own back yard outdoors and close to home,” said Recreation Coordinator Lisa Bingham, who organizes the summer camp program, which draws about 150 middle-schoolers.

“Many kids don’t know about the greenbelt and don’t use it. I think kids will be amazed that they have access to some amazing trails in this city.”

This summer, the camp will hold three events with the South Portland Land Trust that will introduce children to the city’s urban trail network and let them participate in a cleanup of the greenbelt, from Bug Light to Barberry Creek Woods on Broadway.

• On Wednesday, the campers explored Clark’s Pond Trail and Red Brook Trail, from 9 a.m.-noon. The trails start behind the Home Depot. The Clark’s Pond Trail traverses a pond and the Red Brook Trail goes through some woods and is still being developed.

• On July 15, the children will clean the greenbelt from Bug Light to Barberry Creek Woods, where a trail is being developed by the land trust. The campers will have a picnic at Barberry Creek and learn about its history.

• Another outdoor adventure with the land trust is planned for Aug. 4, with the activity to be determined. The effort may involve the children undertaking a community service project to help with trail maintenance at Clark’s Pond.

The land trust currently is seeking adult volunteers from its members to help lead student tours of Clark’s Pond Trail and the Red Brook Trail near Maine Mall, as well as assist with the greenbelt cleanup.

“We hope that this relationship will develop into a long-term educational, recreational and stewardship program for both groups,” said City Councilor Tom Blake, a founder of the private, nonprofit land trust. “The opportunities for the South Portland Land Trust and our young citizens are phenomenal.”

In addition to learning about the city’s parks and trails, the campers also will dedicate their summer fundraisers to the South Portland Land Trust. The fundraisers involve a camp competition among the grades for collecting pennies, as well as a car wash on July 29, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at the community center.