We were exploring June Creek Elementary School after-hours. Children had drawn pictures of what they want to be when they grow up. I was reading them to Max. One child said he wanted to be a soldier when he grows up. Max said that wasn’t a good choice (but up until last year or so he wanted to be a warrior/soldier, too):

“You can die very easily, specially if you’re in the first row”  (He means the front line)

He had Minecraft Club for after school. I got there early, about 3:30, and went to the computer lab. I sat with him and we played side-by-side for 45 minutes with all the other children in the room. Max didn’t mind at all. In fact, he even sat on my lap for a time. I was helping him to learn how to craft different items (I had to look them up on the internet). None of the other children were teaching him so he wasn’t able to do much before I arrived.

Afterwards, I asked Max if he minded me being at the after-school program. He said no way, he loved that I was there. He told me that when Trevor is at Minecraft Club, Trevor helps him. I think he only liked me being there because I was teaching him to craft things, but it was so warming to feel wanted by him in front of other children. Many children at his age (including me at that age) are embarrassed to have their parents around their friends or schoolmates.

Max also wants me to go on the Mining Camp with him this Summer. I sent this to KC Lasher today:

Hi KC,

This is Eric Jung. I am Max Blodgett’s father.
Max is signed up for the Mining Camp trip this Summer, which I believe your are leading. Max and I have a special relationship together when it comes to mines. My father and I used to explore abandoned mines and mining equipment all over the southwest when I was a kid, something pretty stupid in hindsight. Although Max and I don’t do that, he’s heard my stories, and we’ve visiting lots of mines and mining camps together. At one point last year, Max even said he wanted to be a miner when he grew up.
Max has been asking every continually if I’d be able to join him on the Mining Camp VMS trip.
Do you have a need for any assistants or chaperones? If not, is there any chance I can tag along in some other capacity?
Eric
p.s. we still haven’t made it up to Fairplay, but there’s supposedly a restored mining camp there. Have you biked/walked any of the Leadville Mineral Belt?