DEL MAR — With the first day of school just around the corner, a typical teenager would most likely be found surfing, swimming or simply doing nothing at all. But 15-year-old Charlie Reed spent the end of her summer vacation teaching about two dozen 5- to 10-year-olds how to sing, dance and act — all in the name of charity.

Charlie held her annual summer drama camp the week of Aug. 11 and donated the proceeds to Elfario orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. It all began four years ago, when Charlie combined her passion for theater, children and helping others.

She and a friend recruited Charlie’s younger brother, Russell, who was 6 at the time, and some of his friends. “I started with them,” Charlie, a sophomore at Torrey Pines High School, said. “Then they got siblings, cousins and friends involved, and the word spread.”

The aspiring young actors are mostly students from local elementary schools, however, Charlie has a cousin who visits every year from Oregon to participate in the camp. “My aunt is one of my helpers,” Charlie said. “She honestly is the most creative person I’ve ever met. She gets the kids involved and does these amazing sets and costumes.”

Once Charlie selects a play for the weeklong camp, she adapts the script for her cast.

“I sit down with the movie and my laptop, think about the kids and the numbers and try to make it all work,” she said. Classes are held from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Charlie’s Del Mar home, with a 30- to 45-minute performance on the last day. Cost is $130.

Proceeds benefit a charity that is meaningful to Charlie. The first year she donated about $500 to the Shultis Family Fund. Glenn Shultis, Charlie’s sixth-grade teacher, died of brain cancer in November 2005. His wife, Julie, passed away nine months later, leaving behind 4-year-old twins.

The following year proceeds went to the Lance Armstrong Foundation because, Charlie said, “I felt like they were doing a lot” for cancer. Last year she donated $1,000 to The Miracle League, a baseball club for disabled children Charlie became involved with when the organization opened a facility at San Dieguito Park near her home.

“I’ve been involved with it for four seasons,” she said. “It’s amazing. It’s honestly life-changing. I love it.”

Since this summer’s performance was “Little Orphan Annie,” Charlie donated proceeds to the orphanage, which she learned about through her involvement with the Interact Club at Torrey Pines.

Charlie began acting with a role in her third-grade production of “The Lorax” at Solana Vista Elementary School. She continued working in community theater until her freshman year in high school and is currently enrolled in an acting class there. But it’s not something she plans to pursue as a career.

“For a long time it was my dream,” she said. “Now it’s become less and less realistic. I’d love to do it, but I don’t know if I want to dedicate my life to waitressing and auditioning.”

The camp has grown from about 10 participants the first year to 25 this summer — her largest group yet. About seven participants have been involved since the beginning.

“It’s cool to watch them grow and develop confidence,” Charlie said.

Through the years, Charlie has learned to delegate. This year she enlisted the help of 10 aides — mostly volunteers — who help with everything from costumes to choreography.

“They’re a huge help,” Charlie said. “I couldn’t do it by myself.”

At times, she said, the camp can be stressful, especially since Charlie considers herself a perfectionist. But she manages to keep things under control, partly because she can be on the strict side. “I’m tough, but it’s like a tough love,” she said. “I want these kids to do well. I won’t let them embarrass themselves. I want them all to be as professional as they can. I have high expectations for them, but they’ve never let me down.

“Sometimes I look around and wonder, ‘Why do I do this to myself?’ Then I remind myself that I love it,” Charlie said. “It’s really fulfilling. I look back at the week and I’m really glad I do this.”