Rock Talk - Our Cairn Newsletter

Rock Talk - October 2007

The full edition of the October Newsletter can be downloaded here:
Download rock_talk_october_2007.pdf

A Note from Taps

I've worked at camp for a long time, but I've never stayed in Muskoka during October before...it's gorgeous up here.  The leaves are a riot of different colours, and the air smells clean and sweet every morning.  It's hard to imagine a more beautiful setting.

I wanted to say a quick "thank you" to the guys who helped with the Clean-up Weekend at camp.  Zoic, Blox, Aloe, Peche, Heeckan, Arlo and Bocca all gave up their weekend to come to camp and put things away. We took out the Glen Mhor swimming docks, the jumping dock, the canoe docks, all the kayaks and paddles and all the canoes.  It was a rainy, windy and cold weekend, but it was also really fun to work with a great group of guys.  Clean-up Weekend is just one of the projects it would be impossible to accomplish without our alumni and volunteers.

Over the next few months, we are hoping to start a Volunteer Committee with alumni and friends.  These people will take responsibility for some projects throughout the year, and will be an invaluable source of support for us at Cairn.  The Synod Camp Board is eager to strengthen our ties with alumni and volunteers, and this is one way we hope to do that.

If you are interested in supporting camp through the Volunteer Committee, we are looking for people with skills, expertise and dedication.  With camp being such a huge operation, it is essential that we have know-how and helping hands with everything from construction to computers to fundraising to organization.  Please send me an e-mail (taps@ilovecamp.org) if you are interested in helping, and we'll add you to the list.  Don't forget to include a list of some skills or expertise that you can offer...it will help us use you best!

Children's Fitness Tax Credit

The Ontario Camping Association worked hard this past year to get camping included in the list of activities covered by the new Children's Fitness Tax Credit.  This means that a tax credit can be obtained for sending your kids to camp!  Up to $500 per child can be claimed under this new legislation.  Details on how to claim this tax credit are below...

http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/whatsnew/fitness-e.html

Basically, you are able to claim a maximum of $500 for every child under 16.  The tax credit is calculated by multiplying the eligible amount by the lowest marginal tax rate (15.5% in 2007).  Here's an example:

Diana registered her three children (all of whom are under 16 years old) in an eligible program of physical activity and paid fees of $750 for each child on January 16, 2007. To calculate the amount that she can deduct from her taxes owing on her 2007 income tax return, she uses the following formula:

    STEP 1:

    $500  (maximum allowable amount per child)

    X   3  (number of children enrolled in an eligible program)

    $1,500  (total allowable amount eligible for the tax credit)

    STEP 2:

    $1,500  (total allowable amount eligible for the tax credit)

    X 15.5% (lowest marginal tax rate for 2007)

   

$232.50 (total amount that can be used to reduce the taxes owing on Diana’s 2007 income tax return)

We want to make this tax credit work for our families.  Please e-mail the camp office: info@ilovecamp.org with any questions.

You will also need a receipt from your camp registration to claim this tax credit.  If you need another copy of the receipt, please contact Bridget, our Administrator: admin@ilovecamp.org.

Cairn Concert Recap 2007

Well, it was quite a show.  Guitars, banjos, singers, drummers, hand bells...even banjo jokes!  For those who missed the 1st Annual Cairn Concert, make sure to leave room on your calendars next year.  That will be the 2nd Annual Cairn Concert - for those who are counting...

To those who set-up, performed, attended and joined in the fun - a huge thank you!  It was a good show, a good crowd and the beginning of a good tradition.

Look for the photos on the Cairn Flickr Group.

Synod 2007

The annual Camp Report was made to Synod by Allison Cooper (Synod Camp Board Convenor) in October.  We showed the Teen Week Video as part of the presentation, and also shared information about our programmes, marketing, budgets and challenges.  Synod was very impressed by the video, and asked insightful questions about the rest of the report.  Allison did a fantastic job presenting the information, and we are quite grateful for the continuing support of Synod.

New Programmes 2008 - Woods and Water (Iona)

Ages 7 - 10 can come and enjoy the very best things about Iona...the Woods and the Water!  Campers will enjoy a unique and fulfilling week of wilderness camping, with lots of opportunities to be outside and to learn about God through splashing, swimming, paddling, hiking, sleeping in tents, cooking their own food, etc.  A special 24-hour overnight will be taken to Echo Lake Island, and campers can try all of the available camp programming.  This camp is a great introduction to the outdoors and to a camp experience.  To register, visit www.ilovecamp.org.