Disaster!

Oh no! today at school, I realized, a Red-Tailed hawk was flying overhead with a beautiful stormy background, my camera decided to not function! And so, I am faced with the choice of repairs, or a new camera. I hear repairs can be pricey, and I'm not sure if Olympus likes to loophole their warranties, but either way, I can't take pictures with it. Mr. Slade (photo teacher)has graciously let me use a school camera, and I will use my binoculars for zoom, but that still leaves me with the question of repairs or new camera. Unfortunately, the pictures I was planning for the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge this late September will have to be taken with this camera. If i get a new camera, it will be an SLR, which would be nice and the repairs would still probably be cheaper. The Canon Rebel XTI was recommended to me by Mr. Slade, as well another student. What do my readers recommend? If its the New camera, I will be working for it, And I should get it around my birthday is my guess as to when i'll have enough.