Community health hero: Camp Sweeney

浙江台州市文元横溪中学 江 丽

题材公益 说明文体裁 篇幅 建议用时460词 9分钟

难词探意

1.swarm /swɔːm/ v.泛滥；挤满；云集

2.monitor /΄mɒnɪtə(r)/ v.监视；检查；跟踪调查

3.prognosis /prɒɡ΄nəʊsɪs/ n.预断病情； 预后；预测

4.urine /΄jʊərɪn/ n.尿；小便

5.sacrifice /΄sækrɪfaɪs/ v.牺牲

At a glance, Camp Sweeney looks like a typical summer camp: set upon 400 acres of land with mature trees, a large lake and green grass stretching to the distance,swarmingwith kids doing crafts, water sports, dances and talent shows.If you spend a little time there, you'll notice there's one key difference, one that makes its campers feel safe and at home like no other place.In-depth type 1 diabetes education, around-the-clock testing andmonitoringare conducted by medically trained staff.

In 1950, when the camp was founded, many children with type 1 diabetes weren't expected to live to adulthood.Synthetic insulin (合成胰岛素) had yet to be developed and that first summer 60 kids attended the camp for an experience that would define their young lives.

“Synthetic insulin revolutionized theprognosisfor children with type 1 diabetes—in the beginning the prognosis was poor and ended up in death before adulthood,” said Billie Hood, business manager of the camp.“Dr.Sweeney wanted a place where kids could be kids again, so he got together with investors and oil barons and created the Southwestern Diabetic Foundation with the sole purpose to fund Camp Sweeney.”

Today, Camp Sweeney and the entire diabetes world are far different.

In 2019, the camp hosted 720 kids, from thirty-five states and five countries.People with diabetes live long, full lives, and the camp is more about giving kids with the disease a place to totally be themselves, rather than a singular experience to take with them on their short journeys.

There are three camp sessions offered per summer, and current Camp Director Dr.Ernie Fernandez hasn't missed a day of camp in the thirty-five years he's volunteered.“Foster kids come free, too,”said Dr.Fernandez.“That's the beauty of what we do.It's the same struggle with diabetes whether you're rich or poor.” For parents of type 1 diabetic children, Camp Sweeney offers the assurance of 24-hour monitoring and access to hospital care, with an on-site hospital equipped to handle emergencies.Campers are trained to be diligent in checking their own blood sugar five-to-seven times daily,and more if necessary.Urinetests are conducted daily, and medical staff reviews test results prior to each meal to prescribe insulin dosages.

“We work one on one with them to gain insight into the things that give them anxiety.We teach them how to serve one another and identify the good that they possess within.They build real relationships based onsacrificingfor one another, and when they go back to school they have learned how to build the relationships that pick them up when they fall,” Dr.Fernandez said, adding, “The only time these parents sleep is when their kids are at Camp Sweeney.”

Reading Check

1.Why is Camp Sweeney different from typical summer camps?

A.It possesses 400 acres of land.

B.Kids can do crafts and water sports there.

C.It is surrounded by mature trees and lakes.

D.It offers children type 1 diabetes education.

2.The Southwestern Diabetic Foundation was created to ________.

A.raise funds for some summer camps

B.raise funds for Camp Sweeney

C.help kids with different diseases

D.help adults with diabetes

3.What kind of person can be helped free by Camp Sweeney?

A.Disabled kids.

B.Foster kids with diabetes.

C.Kids from rich families.

D.Adults from poor families.

Language Study

Difficult sentence

If you spend a little time there, you'll notice there's one key difference, one that makes its campers feel safe and at home like no other place.

【翻译】__________________________________________________________________________

【点石成金】该句为一个主从复合句。If you spend...there为条件状语从句，you'll notice there's one key difference为主句, one that makes its campers feel safe...place为同位语。