Destination: Space Camp 前進太空營‏

 Which American schoolchild hasn't heard of Space Camp? It is a legendary institution1 more exclusive2 and exciting than Disneyland. Children collect cereal3 box tops, sell charity chocolates, or enter annual contests in hopes of winning a spot at the camp. At Space Camp, children from ages nine to 18 can experience the life of an astronaut4. Not far from where actual space missions are launched, campers are put through a week of astronaut training exercises and flight simulations.

哪一個美國學童沒聽過太空營？這個傳奇性的機構比迪士尼樂園更難進入，且更加刺激。孩童們會蒐集早餐穀片包裝盒的盒蓋、義賣巧克力，或者是參加一年一度的比賽，為的就是希望能贏得參加太空營的資格。年紀從九到十八歲的孩子都能在太空營裡體驗太空人的生活。就在距離進行真正太空任務的基地的不遠處，學員們會經歷為期一週的太空人訓練活動以及模擬飛行訓練。

　　At Camp Kennedy Space Center in Florida, children learn to fly rockets and space shuttles by using complicated simulators5. This training ends in a large role-play6, where children work together to complete a successful space shuttle mission. Another big Space Camp is not far away in Huntsville, Alabama. There, children can experience what it is like to be in outer space7. They go through the challenge of moving in space with equipment that creates the feeling of walking on the moon. No matter which camp you choose, the experience is out of this world. 在佛羅里達州的甘迺迪太空中心夏令營裡，孩童使用複雜的模擬器來學習駕駛火箭和太空梭。這個訓練營會以大型的角色扮演活動作為結束，當中會讓孩童攜手完成一趟成功的太空梭任務。另一個大型的太空營則是在相距不遠的阿拉巴馬州杭特維爾市。孩童們在那裡能體驗身處外太空是何等滋味。他們會藉由一套能模擬月球漫步感覺的設備，來體會在太空中移動的挑戰性。不論您選擇的是哪一個夏令營，其中的體驗絕對是棒得令人彷彿置身於九霄雲外。
@Building Your Vocabulary

1. contest　n. 比賽，競賽
Anyone under 18 can join this contest.
任何十八歲以下的人都可以參加這場比賽。
2. spot　n. 位置，地位
The team earned a spot in the finals.
這支隊伍贏得了參加決賽的資格。
3. complicated　a. 複雜的
The theory is too complicated to understand.
這個理論非常地複雜難懂。
@Phrases for Learning

1. hear of...　　聽說過∕知道……（多用完成式）
Ricky has never heard of that restaurant.
瑞奇從來都沒聽說過那間餐廳。
2. in hopes of + 動名詞∕名詞　　抱著……的希望
I moved to the US in hopes of a better life.
我搬到美國居住是希望能過更好的生活。
3. put + 人 + through...　　讓某人經歷……
Robert put the new employees through a series of tests.
羅勃讓新進員工進行了一系列的測驗。
4. end in...　　以……作為結束∕告終
My 10-year marriage ended in divorce.
我那段十年的婚姻以離婚告終。
5. no matter + 疑問詞　　不論∕不管……
Don't wake me up no matter what happens.
不管發生什麼事都不要把我叫醒。
@Extra Words
1. institution　n. 團體，機構
2. exclusive　a. 獨享的，獨有的
3. cereal　n.（早餐）穀片，麥片
4. astronaut　n. 太空人（本文中亦作形容詞用）
5. simulator　n. 模擬器
6. role-play　n. 角色扮演
7. outer space　n. 外太空
@Tips In Use

No matter which camp you choose...
（不論您選擇的是那一個夏令營……）
　　本句的"no matter which"為一副詞連接詞，亦即"whichever"，表『不管∕不論哪一個』。凡表『不論∕不管……』的副詞連接詞，皆可使用"no matter + 疑問詞"來表示，其它的用法尚有下列：
no matter where = wherever 不論∕不管何處
no matter when = whenever 不論∕不管何時
no matter what = whatever 不論∕不管什麼
no matter who = whoever 不論∕不管誰
No matter where you go, I'll find you.
= Wherever you go, I'll find you.
（不論你去哪裡，我都會找到你。）