Cairn Newsletter - Rock Talk November 2007

[Adam Brown]

Rock Talk * November 2007

Editor's Note:

Rock Talk is the e-newsletter of Cairn and all its programmes.

For the online version, please click here.

 

Featured This Month:

• Greetings from Match
• Snow, Snow, Snow
  

• Children's Fitness Tax Credit
• Volunteer Committee
  
• 2008 Registration
  
• New Programmes 2008 -
  
• Wishlist
• Facebook
• Feedback/Subscriptions
  

Greetings from Match
Well hello everyone…how's it going?  So, the day has finally arrived! November 1st is here and I have officially started working at camp full-time! How cool is that? Let me tell you all what an honour it is to officially become part of the incredible team at Cairn, and I am looking forward to all that I will learn from both Topaz and Taps (which there is a lot!!!!!). There is so much in the works for camp…it's really difficult to know where to jump in, however I can't tell you how exciting it is being part of all that is to come!

I do need to thank the Synod Camp Board and Topaz and Taps for welcoming me into this ministry, and for giving me the opportunity to be part of this team. I feel as though having this position will let me finally give back a little of what I have received over the past nine years of being affiliated with this place! I feel so incredibly blessed to have even been considered for this position, and I thank God for bringing me to Cairn all those many years ago. This place has truly developed me into the person that I am today, and I could not be more thankful.   Like I said before, it is such an honour and privilege working for such an amazing establishment with highly skilled, talented and experienced individuals. I truly look forward to all that is to come!  Nice talking to all of you…drop me a line if you want to chat!!!!
MUCH LOVE
~ Match
ma...@ilovecamp.org



Snow, Snow, Snow
It has been incredibly snowy here at camp all month.  There is currently close to 3 feet of snow on the ground, and more falling all the time.  Now, that's no excuse for a late newsletter - but here's a photo of the snowy Glen Mhor site to ease the pain.  It's just gorgeous to see the trees so coated in fluffy white stuff.

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: in...@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: ad...@ilovecamp.org.



Volunteer Committee
I mentioned in last month's newsletter that Cairn was taking steps to form a Volunteer Committee.  A few of our alumni have stepped forward to take leadership in this area, and over the next few months we should have a good process in place.

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 (ta...@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!

The Volunteer Committee will take responsibility for the annual work weekends, as well as special projects at both the Baysville and Dorothy Lake sites.




2008 Registration
Registration for 2008 is online now!  A reminder that the Early-Bird Date is January 15th, 2008.  Save money - register and pay in full by this date.  Our registration page is found by clicking the "Summer Schedule" link at the top of the camp website.  Glen Mhor and Iona programmes fill fast, so register early for your first choice.

Wish List

Cairn is part of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, a charity registered with the Canada Revenue Agency. For any donations that you make to Camp, we will issue a receipt for tax purposes.

We are currently seeking:

• a small car for daily "town run" trips;
• a large van to pull a canoe trailer;
• modern and fast desktop computer (doesn't need to have a monitor).

We are also looking for many smaller items.  For details, check the entire wishlist here.




Alumni Updates
Ciaran  is getting married (and Topaz is in the bridal party).




Facebook

If you have a Facebook account, come and join the Cairn groups online.

• CAIRN (Glen Mhor and Iona) Alumni
• Cairn Staff 2007

Facebook is a social networking site (like My Space, but with better privacy features).

 

Feedback/Subscriptions

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--
Adam "Taps" Brown, Co-Director
Cairn Presbyterian Camping and Retreat Centres
705.767.3300
705.767.2232 (fax)
<a href="www.ilovecamp.org"> www.ilovecamp.org</a>