Student thrives on science, s’mores and fun at summer camp

The more friction, the more vibration, the music teacher told the room full of young girls at the Burrage Mansion in Redlands.

He explained the science behind what makes the instruments sound the way they do and then lets the girls try their hands at making music. Trinity Molina-Weaver, 11, was thrilled that the exercise merged her two passions — the arts and sciences.

This summer, Trinity is spending four days a week at Camp Einstein, a camp sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Redlands-Riverside for kids ages 7 to 14. The camp focuses on math and science instruction but also includes more traditional recreational activities.

“It’s like a real camping experience because we sleep outside with sleeping bags and everything,” Trinity said.

Aside from camping, making s’mores and swimming, Trinity said she enjoys learning more about science while spending time with friends.

“Last year, we had this big science project of making a rocket fly into the sky. It was awesome,” she said.

After music class, all the kids and volunteers sit at tables outside for a snack before singing “Happy Birthday” to one of the campers and eating cupcakes.

“The birthday girl, Stephanie — she’s one of my closest friends. I’ve known her since we were both in elementary [school], and she’s going into 6th, so it’s like a long time,” Trinity said.

The site director Jo Bohlman and other teachers have taught her to cooperate with other people and to remember to treat others how she would like to be treated, Trinity said.

When she starts 7th grade next year, the Boys & Girls Club will pick her up from school, and she’ll meet with tutors from the University of Redlands.

“My daughter really needs that one-on-one tutoring, especially in English,” said Johanna Molina, Trinity’s mother.

Molina is the administrative and membership coordinator for the Boys & Girls Club. Among other responsibilities, she keeps track of paperwork, payments and attendance.

“What I notice specifically in her experience at Camp Einstein is her always coming back with all these stories — the new friends she’s made, the new experiences she got to do,” Molina said.

She said she works at the club because she gets to help guide children and teenagers into adulthood.

“I’ve seen middle school and high school kids here who have had bad grades, and then they partner up with the tutors from the University of Redlands and drastically improve their grades,” she said.

Trinity said she would like to follow in her mother’s footsteps at the club.

“I plan to volunteer when I turn 14,” Trinity said.

The Summer Camp Campaign is part of the Los Angeles Times Family Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund. The campaign raises contributions to support programs that provide thousands of Southern California’s at-risk children ages 7 to 17 with enriching, educational and fun camp experiences. Donations are tax-deductible as permitted by law and matched at 50 cents on the dollar by the McCormick Foundation. Donor information is not traded or sold, and not published without permission. Donate online at latimes.com/donate or by phone at (800) 518-3975. All gifts will receive a written acknowledgment.

Email: Alex.Golden@latimes.com

Twitter: @alexgoldennews