THEME PARK

Camping

Writing

I

Useful Camping Things

There are many useful things that you need when you go camping. Describe these useful things using a relative clause:

Flashlight

A flashlight is something that you use to see in the dark.

Axe

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Sleeping Bag

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Lighter

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Lantern

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Cooler

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Bug Spray

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Tarp

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Tent

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Writing

I

Holidays at the Summer Camp

Write a letter to your friend. Tell him/her about your holidays at the summer camp. Use the prompts below.

Have / play basketball
to go on trips
to go to the cimena
to have fun
to watch films
to have English classes
to meet interesting people
to take part in games
to ask somebody for an autograph

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Vocabulary

I

Camping Items

Label the camping items using the words in the box.

I

The Campfire

Fill in the blanks below with words from this box:

Camping

When the weather starts to get warm, many families like to leave the ____________ of the city for the ________ air of the countryside. They pack up their _________________ and a __________ full of food and head out to the woods near a body of water such as a __________ or a __________. After arriving at the __________, the first thing to do is ________________ up the __________.

At night, people sit around the _____________ and _____________ scary stories or ___________ songs. Somebody has to _______________ wood for the fire. To do this, they’ll need an ____________. If anybody gets hungry, they can _______________ hotdogs or _______________________ over the fire.

Camping activities

One thing people like to do in the woods is put on their boots and go __________. Another thing they like to do is grab a rod, some hooks, and some worms and go __________.

Bugs

One of the worst things about camping is the __________. If they bite you, you will __________ badly. That’s why it’s important to put __________ on when you are in the woods.

Vocabulary

I

Puzzle Out!

Find the words in the puzzle.

Listening

I

Summer Camp

I. Pre-Listening Exercises

In this story, a young man describes his mishaps (accidents) which occurred while he was at summer camp. Make a list of possible problems which might have happened to him before you start the listening.

II. Listening Exercises

Listen to the text. Review the Key Vocabulary and the sample sentences.

Dear Mom and Dad,

This is my fifth day at summer camp. Life in the great outdoors isn’t exactly what I expected, but I’m not starving … yet … so don’t worry about me.

I guess I should tell you about what I do everyday. First, everyone has to get up at 5:30 a.m. They have this silly old rooster named Harry who loves to wake us up. Next, we have to make our beds and tidy up the cabin before our camp counselor, Jeff, comes to inspect the place.

Then, we have breakfast around 6:30 a.m. After that, we have some free time, so I’ve been going down to the nearby stream to fish for a couple of hours. But yesterday, the only thing I caught was an old shoe and a tree branch. Great catch, huh? Then when I was trying to swat a mosquito buzzing around my head, I slipped and fell in the stream and lost my fishing pole. That ended my fishing career.

Well, in the afternoon, there are different activities we can choose from like archery, horseback riding, and hiking. I thought archery would be the sport for me until I shot an arrow through Jeff’s pant leg. As you can imagine, I haven’t been invited back since.

In the evening, everyone is assigned a different chore to get dinner ready. Yesterday, I was in charge of cooking the hotdogs, but I accidently dropped them in the fire, so we had to settle for beans instead. The other kids are always teasing me about it.

At night, we sit around a campfire in front of the cabin, sing songs, and tell ghost stories. That’s usually fun, but one night while trying to find more sticks for the fire, I got all turned around and got lost. After about an hour of wandering aimlessly in the forest, I finally found my way back, but no one seemed to have realized what had happened, thinking that I had just gone to bed. A bear or wolf could have eaten me and no one would have known it. I was so beat I just crashed out like a light.

Well, today is another day and tomorrow I go home … and not a bit too soon. I’ve learned that camping is just not for me.

Love,
Brad

Key Vocabulary

tidy up (verb): clean up or organize

– I need to tidy up my room before I can invite guests over.

inspect (verb): to check

– The manager of the plant decided to inspect each employee’s work this morning.

swat (verb): to hit an insect with the purpose of killing it

– I spent the whole afternoon swatting flies instead of concentrating on my reading.

archery (noun): the sport of shooting arrows with a bow

– Carol took up archery when she was in elementary school.

III. Post-Listening

Choose the proper answer:

1. What does Brad have to do before he eats breakfast?

A. clean his sleeping quarters
B. go down to the stream to get some water
C. feed the rooster and the other animals

2. What happened to Brad when he went fishing?

A. A tree branch fell on him.
B. He lost his fishing pole.
C. He slipped and lost one of his shoes.

3. What did he eat for dinner?

A. steak
B. hotdogs
C. beans

4. What was Brad doing when he got lost in the forest?

A. He was running away from a bear.
B. He was searching for wood.
C. He was wandering around looking for the cabin.

5. How did Brad like summer camp?

A. He had a great time.
B. It was okay.
C. He didn’t have fun.

IV. Post-Listening Exercises

Now retell the story from several points of view in their own words (e.g., the young man, the parents, one of the counselors at camp, etc.).

Reading

I

Hiking: Wilderness Safety and Camping Gear

Read the text and do the activities.

Part I: Reading

One of my favorite hobbies is backcountry hiking – through areas that people seldom visit. However, before I go hiking, I make sure to have all of the proper gear for the adventure. First of all, I wear proper clothing and hiking shoes for the current weather conditions. Next, I let my family and friends know where I will be going and when I will return. Also, I carry a compass and GPS unit to navigate and locate my position. I carry a topographical map with me as well. In addition to these items, I take plenty of food and water, and I also pack a water filter to purify any water I find in streams or lakes. Finally, I always pack emergency supplies including a lighter, emergency blanket, a signaling device like a mirror, and cellphone. You never know when you will need these things.

Part II: Discussion

What are some popular hiking areas in your hometown or surrounding areas that would be of interest to international visitors?

Part III: Online Investigation

Some of your friends have decided to go backpacking and hiking for a week, but they haven’t decided on a location. The also need to decide on the gear they will need for the trip. Use the Internet to locate a travel destination that will interest the entire group. Then determine what equipment you will need and find out costs for these items.

Grammar

I

The Camping Trip

Instructions

Complete the story using

• one of the –self words (myself, yourself, herself, himself, oneself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves)

or

• each other.

I don’t like to go camping by myself. It’s no fun. It’s the sort of thing you do with friends. Last summer I and a couple of friends went on a camping trip in Jasper National Park. Despite the usual mishaps, we really enjoyed it.

1. Before we left, we bought _________ some warm sleeping bags because it can get cold there even in summer.

2. We took two tents. Aki and Linda shared one, while I had the other all to __________.

3. As a group we got along fine. We felt comfortable with __________, and there was little tension.

4. Aki and Linda took along some insecticide to protect __________ against mosquitoes. There were very few bugs, however.

5. Of course we forgot the most important thing and the first day out, we found __________ in the middle of the forest with no matches.

6. Linda considers __________ very creative and she tried to start a fire using sticks. Of couse it didn’t work.

7. I suppose that you, the reader, think of _________ as a very organized person and have come to the conclusion that we’re not too bright.

8. I suppose you and your friends never make mistakes like that. You know how to look after __________ when you go camping. But I’m not so sure. We’re all human, after all.

9. I’ll continue with my story. Standing there, in the middle of the forest without matches, we felt really stupid. But when we looked at __________ we burst out laughing. We thought it was so funny.

10. On the second day we met another group of campers and they gave us some matches. After that we were able to prepare some delicious meals for __________.

11. We enjoyed ourselves immensely and we really enjoyed __________’s company.

12. The camping trip was good for our friendship. Now we have a lot more respect for __________.

13. When I got back and looked at __________ in the mirror, I was shocked to see how wild I looked. I had quite a beard.

14. A camping trip is great. It teaches one a lot about __________.

Speaking

A

Summer Camp Information Guide

Read the information below and interview your partners/schoolmates about the type and programs of summer camp they would prefer.

Finding a summer camp that is right for you, your schedule, and your budget can be a challenge. There are a variety of program types with a wide range of application dates, but no single comprehensive camp listing. However, the American Camping Association offers a number of resources to help while this process is new to you, and to expand your knowledge as your child’s needs and interests change.

Types of Camps

Summer camps may be day (part-day or full-day) or residential (overnight). Camps may be general, offering a variety of activities such as swimming, sports, games, crafts, and field trips, or specialty, with a special focus on music, art, drama, computer, science, nature, or soccer, tennis or other sport. Academic enrichment programs offer supplementary coursework to older children in various subjects such as computers, math, science or foreign languages, sometimes in addition to general camp features. Special needs camps offer a general camp experience to children with special social, emotional, physical or health needs.

Camps are run by a variety of organizations. Camps run by municipalities (town recreation departments or public schools) or by agencies (such as the Girl and Boy Scouts, YMCA’s, Campfire Girls, etc.) tend to be lower-cost and to have later application schedules (mid- to late spring). Private camps (run independently or by private institutions (preschools, private schools, universities, museums, conservation organizations, etc.) tend to fill earlier (early winter through spring) and tend to be more expensive, but may offer scholarship help.

Camps may also be accredited by the American Camping Association. Accreditation is a voluntary process involving outside verification of compliance with roughly 300 standards relating to health and safety, management, personnel, programming and facilities.

Age Groups

There are camps to serve children of all ages, from around age 4 (and younger) to 17 (and older), but age cut-offs differ for individual camps. Programs for children under 6 years or over 12 or 13 years tend to be more specialized. Be sure to find out how children are grouped – both in terms of group size and age range – to see if a particular camp is likely to meet your child’s needs.

Schedules

Program schedules vary from half-day to “full day”, which may still provide a shorter day than needed by a working parent. Before- and after-camp child care may also be available, usually at additional cost.

Camp sessions may run anywhere from one to four weeks in length. For parents seeking camp for the full summer, it is important to note that a few camps discourage children from registering for multiple sessions, while others do not. Also, be aware that only a few camps begin their sessions before the end of June, and only a few offer programs beyond the second week of August.

Questions to Ask When Selecting a Camp

What kinds of opportunities and experiences will you have?

• What is the camp philosophy; what are the objectives of the camp?

• Is the camp program varied, well-balanced, and flexible enough to fit the individual camper’s need for self-expression?

• What is the pace of the day? Does it include free times, rest periods, and choice?

• Are there opportunities to learn new skills and develop old ones?

• How are children grouped by age? gender?

• Are there opportunities for positive peer interactions?

• Does the camp maintain a high level of physical and emotional well-being?

• Is there an opportunity for developing leadership?

What kind of supervision will you have?

• Does the camp director possess strong camp experience and a solid understanding of children?

• Are the counselors mature (at least 19 years of age), well-trained and experienced?

• In a specialty camp, what level of expertise does the staff have in the specialty?

• Is each camp counselor responsible for no more than eight campers?

• Could your child readily turn to the camp counselors for guidance?

• OVERNIGHT CAMPS: Does the director have certain hours during which he or she may be contacted? Will the director call if there are problems?

Will you be in a safe and healthy environment?

• Is the camp site free from serious physical hazards?

• What accident prevention methods are practiced? (fire, waterfront, use of equipment)

• Is there one person completely responsible for your child’s welfare at all times?

• Are the eating facilities sanitary and are the meals well-planned?

• Is food prepared and stored under safe conditions?

• Is the water supply safe, regularly tested, and adequate for bathing and drinking?

• Is there adequate provision for medical attention, including a registered nurse in attendance? a doctor readily available? a well-equipped infirmary?

• Is there adequate protection from communicable disease?

• Are there sanitary methods for sewage and garbage disposal?

• OVERNIGHT CAMPS: Are sleeping facilities well-spaced, comfortable and well-ventilated? Is enough time allowed for sleep?

Will the camp be a good match for me?

• What are your child’s special needs? (Security; discipline; group living experience; independence; group awareness; any physical condition?)

• Can your child’s needs be met best in a general camp or in a camp specially designed for children with similar needs?

• OVERNIGHT CAMPS: Is your child ready to leave home?

Will the camp meet my needs?

• What is the tuition? Are there other expenses? Is there a refund policy?

• What are the camp hours? Are extended hours available?

• Does the camp provide transportation, or assist with carpools?

• Have you had an interview with the camp director or counselors?

• Have you visited the camp?

• Have you talked with parents of children who have attended the camp?

• Have you talked with children who have been to the camp?

Speaking

A

Outdoor Recreation

I. Introduction:

Camping, hiking, and fishing. These are just a few activities that people do to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Listen to the words below and consult a dictionary if you need a definition. Write a sample sentence for each word to learn how it is used in context. You can use the Internet to find such sentences.

II. Practice:

Now, complete the sentences below with the best answer:

1. Please tell the hikers to stay away from the edge of the __________ at the top of the trail. We don’t want anyone to fall off and get seriously injured.

A. cliff
B. desert
C. valley

2. Let’s plan on __________ by the lake because there are many good places to pitch a tent.

A. climbing
B. crossing
C. camping

3. Don’t forget to pack a __________ because we will be hiking part of the time after sunset in the dark.

A. cooking stove
B. flashlight
C. water filter

III. Follow-Up:

Discuss the ideal outdoor adventure in your country. Where would you go and why? What outdoor gear and supplies would you take on your trip? What safety precautions would you take in case of an emergency? Use the Internet to search for the best camping supplies for such an outdoor experience.

Compiled by Galina Goumovskaya