Financing to build the camp comes from a combination of fundraising and revenue generated by the McCarty Center, but there is still money to be raised to complete project.

"First we have an on-going effort to raise money for a scholarship endowment fund," von Schamann said. "We have plans to help qualifying families pay the camp tuition by offering quarter, half, three-quarter and full scholarships."

"Second we need to raise about $850,000 to complete the Sammy Jack mess hall," von Schamann said.

During the groundbreaking ceremony a new Camp ClapHans logo will be introduced.

"The logo is four interlocking arms in earth tone colors," Kuestersteffen said. "The interlocking arms symbolize strength, unity, support and diversity. These are all elements that we hope our campers get when they're at Camp ClapHans.

"The name Camp ClapHans is in a typeface that resembles rough lumber for a rustic camp look," Kuestersteffen said.

Camp ClapHans is expected to be open for its first campers in the summer of 2010.

For more information about the J. D. McCarty Center, visitwww.jdmc.org.