Retrieve Jon from Robotic Camp

In our dark red room, I am not entirely sure what time it is when I wake.  A quick look at the phone lets me know that we need to get up and moving if we are going to have breakfast at all before arriving at UT.

The campus looks beautiful this morning and after finding a parking garage close to the Engineering Building, we are on the lookout for today's event location.  We find a lobby and a few people standing near a sign with the camp name on it.  I approach them and it turns out that it is the camp director.  She indicates that we have indeed found the correct spot and asks who were are there to see.  I give her my grandson's name and the look that I see is not one of recognition.  I jokingly ask if that is because he is missing.  She assures me that all campers are accounted for and continues preparing for the parent meeting.  Mister and I find a booth with seating nearby and settle in until it is time to be seated in the lobby.

Soon, we receive instruction to move to the newly-delivered seating.  We move over and wait until the campers start to arrive.  We spot Jon, but he is not interested in coming over to visit and we respect that so as not to embarrass him.

The first item on the agenda today is a 90 second "teaser" advertisement for the product that each group has developed during the week.  It has to use a renewable energy source as it's main focus.  Mister records the presentation in order for mom and dad to see it later.

Upon completion of the presentations, we went outside to watch each group race the robots they had created during the week.  The fact that Jon is in charge of this segment of the day is no surprise to us.  He spends every free moment in his day doing just this and is a natural at it.  (It is 100 degrees out -- is he nuts dressed like that?)

His robot is streamlined and does well, reaching the end of the track without any issues.  I am always fascinated with how he is able to do this.  I know that we each have our own little niches in the world -- obviously he is destined to create things.

The next part of the day is the classroom presentations.  Here is where our day starts to get strange.  As we start to climb the stairs to the 2nd floor, one of the camp mentors stops us and asks if we are looking for Silver.  We smile and say no and continue our climb.  Upon reaching the classroom, we take a seat near the front to watch each group do their full presentation.  There are really some interesting ideas being presented and some of these kids are just naturals speaking in front of a group.  After the presentations are complete, we stand and are approached by the group leader and mentor.  They ask if we are Silver's parents.  We say, "No, we are Jonathon's grandparents."  They nod and say, "Yep, he told us he wanted to be called Silver.'" Okaaaay.  I know I have the jaw drop going on and when I can finally use my mouth again I say, "Oh Really?  We have not heard that one before."  I then start giggling as I remember the director's look when we first checked in. Of course she could not place a 'Jonathan'.  Way too funny.  We are also told how wonderful he has been at camp and how many robots he has created.  Cool.

It is time for everyone to return to the lobby area for the final ceremony, awards, drawings for gifts, and food.  Jon joins up with us for the first time and it is not long before Group 3 is called and he goes up front to accept his certificate.  They are also given a baton that they pass down the line until each person has one.  This part is a bit comical as all the bright engineering brains struggle with the simpleness of passing it.  Gotta laugh.  Group shot.

Time to check out and hit the road.  After collecting his belongings and climbing into the car, it does not take long for him to fall asleep and we are soon dropping him off at home.  Next stop, Dallas and our turn to sleep.  So glad we had this chance to be a part of this day and we truly were impressed with the creativity of today's youth.