New counselor profile: Jill Thomas

While originally from New Hampshire, Jill now calls Colorado home where she is a student at the University of Denver.  Jill is an outdoors fanatic and can usually be found skiing, hiking, climbing, or dominating the LAX field on her school's club team.  Some of her favorite foods are s'mores and trail mix (I think she'll fit in at camp).  Jill also likes to slack line, relax in a hammock, or juggle (fire and knives) all while jamming out to some country music.  Oh, she also keeps bragging about some amazing cookies she bakes so we will have to see how those are when camp gets started! Jill in her element in the outdoors.

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Water Monkey Camp has a new location (officially)

We are so excited to announce that Water Monkey Camp is moving to its new, permanent location directly on the shores of Merrymeeting Lake.  This property is the fulfillment of the Water Monkey Camp dream where we have a small, self-contained community of campers and staff pursuing their wakeboarding, waterskiing, wakesurfing, and wakeskating goals and ambitions. On the property we have:

  • Five cottages with two or three bedrooms in each as well as a full bathroom.  Campers and staff will live in these cottages just a few steps from the lake.
  • Clubhouse on the sandy beach for group use.  This is where camp will have meetings, cook-outs, watch movies, play games, and hold indoor instruction on white-boards and with digital video captured out on the lake.
  • Large multi-purpose field where campers and staff will have fun when they are not actively out on the water.  Think pick-up games of ultimate frisbee, soccer, kickball, etc.
  • Sandy beach and T-Dock on the lake where the two camp boats will be happily docked.  Campers and staff - under the supervision of lifeguards - will be able to swim, SUP, and enjoy the gorgeous New Hampshire summer from this amazing spot.

No matter how great the location, though, it is camp's top-notch staff and amazing campers that really make the experience.  Camp will still emphasize superior instruction using the best boats and equipment, gourmet, home-cooked meals, and a safe, constructive environment.  What Water Monkey Camp has done is embrace the best parts of traditional camps and apply them to a watersports-intensive program to create a unique place for boys and girls to thrive and have an awesome time.

As we get started working on the property this spring I will be sure to post pictures so you can share in our excitement and anticipation of this season at the new location.

-Evan

Tax deductions and camp...

The tax filing deadline is only a few weeks away so I wanted to share a little bit of info that may help you get some money back!  There are two consistent ways to get some money back for summer camp expenses; IRS deductions and employer reimbursements. IRS Deduction

The IRS offers a deduction on child care of up to $3,000 per dependent or up to $6,000 for two or more dependents.  You should be able to claim this deduction for summer camp as long as sending your child(ren) to camp allowed you to work or look for work during that time.  All you need to do to claim the deduction is fill out IRS form 2441 and provide the camp name, address, and Federal Tax ID #.  Make sure you hold on to proof of payment to back up the deduction.  Links to this deduction below:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f2441.pdf

http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc602.html

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Ten-Things-to-Know-About-the-Child-and-Dependent-Care-Credit

Employer Reimbursement

Many employers - especially large corporations - offer their employees reimbursement for summer camp expenses for their kids.  It helps productivity over the summer because workers are not worrying about their unsupervised kids at home.  Companies will have different rules regarding reimbursements but hanging on to proof of camp purchase, Federal Tax ID#, etc would be a great start.

If you need our Federal Tax ID# or proof of payment for previous years' Water Monkey enrollment please feel free to call or e-mail!

(I am not an accountant or tax professional so make sure to talk to your accountant before making any extra deductions!)