美国学生的夏令营生活

84 美国学生的夏令营生活

DATE=8/13/2000
TITLE=THIS IS AMERICA #1077 - Summer Camps
BYLINE=Jerilyn Watson 

VOICE ONE:
More than nine-million American children are spending part of their summer at a camp.  They are swimming, playing sports, making music or learning¹ to use a computer.  I'm Shirley Griffith.
VOICE TWO:
And I'm Steve Ember.  We tell about summer camps today on the VOA Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.
((THEME))
VOICE ONE:
Traditional American summer (1)camps offer children a chance to play many sports outdoors.  These camps may be in the (2)mountains, in the woods or at a lake.   Other camps teach activities like (3)painting, music or computer (4)programming.  Children at all kinds of camps meet new friends, learn new skills and develop (5)independence.
Some children go to camp during the day and return home at night.  Others stay at camp all day and all night. Most children who (6)attend camp are between the ages of about six and sixteen. 
Some children stay at an (7)overnight² camp for one or two weeks.  Others stay for as many as eight weeks.  Parents pay from one hundred to more than seven-hundred dollars a week for overnight camps. 
VOICE TWO:
Children from poor families who live in a big city might not get the chance to go to a summer camp.  The Fresh Air Fund³ is a well-known⁴ organization that gives children in New York City that chance.  People around the country give money to (8)support the Fresh Air Fund.  Each summer, it sends more than ten-thousand poor children from the city to stay with families in the country or to five camps in New York State. 
Since Eighteen-Seventy-Seven, the Fresh Air Fund has helped almost two-million of New York City's most needy⁵ children. These children do what they cannot do in the city: (9)breathe fresh air, play on green grass and swim in a lake.  Some children begin staying with the same family when they are very young and continue for a number of summers. 
(MUSIC BRIDGE))
VOICE ONE: The American tradition of sending children to summer camp began more than one hundred years ago.  The first organized American camp (10)probably was the Gunnery Camp.  Frederick W. Gunn and his wife Abigail Gunn started it.  They operated a school for boys in the state of Connecticut. 
In Eighteen Sixty-One, Mister⁶ and Missus Gunn took their students on a two-week trip.  They walked to the chosen area and (11)set up camp.  The students fished, hunted, and traveled by boat. 
VOICE TWO:
Today, summer camps for children have become very important to millions of families.  Many American women now work outside the home.  Working parents need a place where their children can be (12)cared for during the summer when they are not in school. 
Camps help children, too.  For most children, overnight camp is the only time during the year when they are away from their parents.  Camp gives them a chance to feel that they are independent.  Campers live together in cloth (13)tents or in wood (14)cabins.  They eat their meals together in a large (15)dining room.
Sometimes, (16)however, the first time at summer camp can be difficult.  Children might not like living with other campers.  They might not like the food.  Or, they might not like to do things like swim in a cold lake.  Some new campers miss their parents very much.
VOICE ONE:
(17)Mental health expert Chris Thurber studied almost three-hundred-thirty boy campers.  The boys were between the ages of eight and sixteen.  They were staying at an overnight camp.  Eighty-three percent reported that they wished they were home at least one day during their time at camp. 
The American Camping Association⁷ suggests that parents prepare children before sending them to camp. They say parents should let children help choose the camp.  And they advise parents to (18)discuss what the camp will be like and what campers will need to know.  For example, parents can show their children how to use a (19)flashlight to find a (20)bathroom at night. 
Experts say young children may feel better at camp if they bring a (21)toy from home. And parents can write letters to their children often.
VOICE TWO:
Most young people have a good time at camp.  Many return to the same camp every summer until they are old enough to have a job.  Then they might return to the camp to work as a group leader for the younger children.
For example, a woman from the state of Illinois attended camp in nearby Wisconsin every summer for more than ten years.  Then she became a group leader at the camp.  Many years later her own children attended the same camp.  Now she says that someday her (22)grandchildren will go there, too.
((MUSIC BRIDGE))
VOICE ONE:
There are about nine-thousand camps in the United⁸ States.  Most of them are overnight camps.  There are camps for children with many kinds of interests. For example, a camp called Roughing⁹ It is in the San Francisco Bay¹⁰ area of California¹¹.  It offers traditional activities for children and (23)teenagers.  Campers climb mountains, take long walks and ride horses.  They play sports, swim and fish.  Other camps offer just one main activity.  Children can go to a camp where they play just one sport, like (24)tennis, (25)soccer, (26)baseball or basketball. Young people who like the arts can spend the summer learning about art, music, dance, acting¹³ or writing.
VOICE TWO:
The best known camp for young artists is the Interlochen Arts Camp.  It is part of the Interlochen Center for the Arts in the state of Michigan. Its music program is especially well known. More than two thousand young people from the United States and forty other countries are attending the arts camp this summer. 
Camps that offer programs in science and environmental¹⁴ studies are (27)popular, too. For example, the United States Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama welcomes (28)adults as well as children. Whole families can live together in a place like a real space (29)station.  They take part in activities similar to those carried out during real space (30)shuttle flights. 
VOICE ONE:
Another special camp is Seacamp in Big Pine Key, Florida.  Teenage¹² campers learn to dive under water using breathing equipment.  They study the ocean environment.
Some older children like (31)wilderness (32)adventure camps.  Campers take long trips by (33)bicycle or (34)canoe.  They climb big rocks and explore (35)caves.
Each year, an increasing number of children develop their knowledge of technology at computer camps. This summer, more than thirty thousand young people are attending the top computer camps in the United States. 
(MUSIC BRIDGE)
VOICE TWO:
The United States also has many camps for sick or (36)disabled children.  At these camps, children take part in traditional activities and receive (37)special medical care. While the children are away, their parents get a rest. 
Handi Kids in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, has a day camp for children and young adults with health problems. The campers have poor hearing or sight. But this does not stop them from enjoying water sports, arts, dance, music and other activities. 
Perhaps the most famous camp for sick children is called the Hole in the Wall Gang¹⁵ Camp in the state of Connecticut.  It is for children with AIDS, (38)cancer, and serious blood diseases¹⁶. The famous (39)actor Paul Newman started the first Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Nineteen-Eighty-Eight.  Similar camps have been established in other parts of the United States, (40)Ireland and France. 
VOICE ONE:
For many children in overnight camps across the United States, the day ends in a traditional way.  They gather around the campfire to cook and eat a sweet (41)dessert food called "s'mores."  The campers cook (42)marshmallows over the fire.  They put the marshmallows and a piece of chocolate between two graham (43)crackers.  This food got its name because after campers eat one, they ask for "some more," or s’more for short.  As the fire dies, the campers join in singing traditional songs like this one.
((CUT ONE: THE WHEELS ON THE BUS - CDP-2820))
Chances are, the children will always remember the fun they had and the songs they sang in the firelight of summer camp.
((THEME)) 
VOICE TWO:
This program was written by Jerilyn Watson.  It was produced by Caty Weaver¹⁷.  Our studio¹⁸ engineer was Keith Holmes. I'm Steve Ember.
VOICE ONE:
And I'm Shirley Griffith.  Join us again next week for another report about life in the United States on the VOA Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.

(1) camp [kAmp] n. 露营地, 阵营; vi. 露营, 扎营
(2) mountain [maJtin] n. 山, 山脉
(3) paint [peint] n. 油漆, 颜料, 涂料; v. 油漆, (用颜料等)画, 绘,
(4) program [pr[JgrAm] vt. 规划, 拟...计划, 安排...入节目; vi.
(5) independence [indi’pend[ns] n. 独立, 自主
(6) attend [[’tend] vt. 出席, 参加, 照顾, 护理, 注意; vi. 专心, 留意
(7) overnight [[Jv[nait] adj. 通宵的, 晚上的, 前夜的
(8) support [s[’pR: t] vt. 支撑, 扶持, 支持, 支援, 拥护, 维持, 赡养,
(9) breathe [bri:T] v. 呼吸, 发出
(10) probably [prRb[bli] adv. 大概, 或许
(11) set up  v. 设立, 竖立, 架起, 升起, 装配, 创(纪录), 提出, 开业
(12) care [ke[]vi. 关心, 顾虑, 照顾, 喜爱; n. 注意, 照料, 烦恼, 忧虑,
(13) tent [tent] n. 帐篷
(14) cabin [kAbin] n. 小屋, 船舱
(15) dining room  n. 饭厅
(16) however [haJev[] adv. 无论如何, 可是, 仍然, 究竟; conj. 不
(17) mental [mentl]adj. 精神的, 智力的
(18) discuss [dis’kQs] vt. 讨论, 论述
(19) flashlight [flAFlait] n. 手电筒, 闪光灯
(20) bathroom [ba:Wru:m] n. 浴室, 盥洗室
(21) toy [tRI] n. 玩具
(22) grandchildren [grAndtFilgr[n] n. 孙子
(23) teenager [ti:neidV[] n. 十几岁的青少年
(24) tennis [tenis] n. 网球运动; adj. 网球的, 用于网球运动的
(25) soccer [sRk[] n. 英式足球
(26) baseball [‘beisbR:l] n. 棒球, 棒球运动
(27) popular [pRpjJl[] adj. 通俗的, 流行的, 受欢迎的
(28) adult [AdQlt]n. 成人, 成年人; adj. 成人的, 成熟的
(29) station [steiFn] n. 位置, 岗位, 地位, 身份, ...局, ...站; vt.
(30) shuttle [FQtl]n. 往返汽车(列车、飞机), 航天飞机, 梭子, 穿梭; v.
(31) wilderness [wild[nis]  n. 荒野, 茫茫一片, 大量, 荒地
(32) adventure [[d’ventF[] n. 冒险, 冒险的经历; v. 冒险
(33) bicycle [baisik[l]n. 脚踏车, 自行车
(34) canoe [k[’nu:]n. 独木舟, 轻舟
(35) cave [keiv] n. 洞穴, 窑洞
(36) disabled [dis’eibld] adj. 伤残的; v. 丧失能力
(37) special [speFl]n. 特派员, 专车, 专刊; adj. 特别的, 特殊的,
(38) cancer [kAs[] n. 癌, 毒瘤
(39) actor [Akt[] n. 男演员, 行动者, 参与者
(40) Ireland [ai[l[nd] n. 爱尔兰
(41) dessert [di’z:t] n. 餐后甜点
(42) marshmallow [ma:F’mAl[J] n. 药属葵, 药属葵蜜饯
(43) cracker [krAk[] n. 饼干, 爆竹, 胡桃夹;

 

 

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 overnight   

ad.前一天晚上，一夜间 a.前一天晚上的

参考例句：

• She stayed overnight in the hotel. 她在旅馆过了一夜。
• Our success is not won overnight. 我们的成功不是一夜之间得来的。

3 fund   

n.基金，资金，存款，财源，贮藏；vt.提供资金，积累

参考例句：

• They decided to set up a fund for this purpose.他们决定为此专立一项基金。
• This fund may not be drawn on without permission.这笔钱非经批准不得动用。

4 known   

adj.大家知道的；知名的，已知的

参考例句：

• He is a known artist.他是一个知名的艺术家。
• He is known both as a painter and as a statesman.他是知名的画家及政治家。

5 needy   

adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的

参考例句：

• Although he was poor,he was quite generous to his needy friends.他虽穷，但对贫苦的朋友很慷慨。
• They awarded scholarships to needy students.他们给贫苦学生颁发奖学金。

6 mister   

n.(略作Mr.全称很少用于书面)先生

参考例句：

• Mister Smith is my good friend.史密斯先生是我的好朋友。
• He styled himself " Mister Clean ".他自称是“清廉先生”。

7 association   

n.联盟，协会，社团；交往，联合；联想

参考例句：

• Our long association with your company has brought great benefits.我方和贵公司的长期合作带来了巨大的利益。
• I broke away from the association ten years ago.我10年前就脱离了那个团体。

8 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。

9 roughing   

n.粗磨，毛刻v.使粗糙( rough的现在分词 )；过艰苦生活；渡过暂时的难关；[体育]（橄榄球、足球等比赛中）粗暴对待(常与up连用

参考例句：

• Roughing It, about his adventures in the Far West, contained some richly funny episodes. 《苦行记》写的是他在美国极西部的经历，其中有些十分可笑的插曲。 来自辞典例句
• Well, you know, Li Hua, we ARE roughing it. Larry,这儿的洗手间在哪？ 来自互联网

10 bay   

n.海湾，狗吠声，月桂；vt.吠，使走投无路；vi.吠

参考例句：

• I enjoy the view of the bay in the starlight.我喜欢星光下的海湾风景。
• Dogs sometimes bay at the moon.狗有时会朝着月亮吠叫。

11 California   

n.加利福尼亚(美国)

参考例句：

• He was elected governor of the state of California.他当选为加州州长。
• We were driving on a California freeway.我们正沿着加利福尼亚的一条快车道驾车行驶。

12 teenage   

adj.青少年的；十几岁的

参考例句：

• His voice is very high for a teenage boy.对一个十几岁的男孩来说，他的嗓音很尖。
• He is too old now for teenage parties.他年龄太大了，不适于参加少年聚会。

13 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

14 environmental   

adj.环境的

参考例句：

• A global environmental meeting is going to be held here.一个全球环境会议将在这里举行。
• We need to cure our environmental problems.我们需要解决环境问题。

15 gang   

n.一伙，一帮；结伴的朋友

参考例句：

• The gang live abroad,beyond reach of the British police.这帮匪徒住在国外，英国警方鞭长莫及。
• Some gang came in and shot the place up.有股匪帮进来对这个地方开枪扫射。

16 diseases   

n.疾病( disease的名词复数 )；弊端；恶疾；痼疾

参考例句：

• Smoking is a causative factor in several major diseases. 抽烟是引起几种严重疾病的病因。
• The illness frequently coexists with other chronic diseases. 这种病往往与其他慢性病同时存在。

17 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。

18 studio   

n.摄影棚（场）；演播室；画室；工作室

参考例句：

• They are building a modern studio.他们正在修建一座现代化的摄影室。
• He had to spend long hours in the recording studio.他不得不花很长的时间在录音室里。