"If it was just a camp that isn't geared toward children with disabilities, then it may cost around $149 a week," he said. "It costs a lot more to do things with a special needs child just to take all the necessary precautions."

Peters said the children who will attend the camp usually will require specific medications, as well as diets customized to meet the individual's needs. And depending on the child's disorder, various medical staff also will be required on location to ensure the camper's safety.

Two nurses will be on duty 24 hours a day and a physician will be on call at all times. There will be eight, week-long camps every summer.

Because of the high costs, JDMC administrators say volunteers will be vital. Each cabin will house six disabled children, and each camper will need a "camp buddy" -- all of whom will be volunteers -- to assist them through the week-long session. Other volunteers called "runners" also will be used to perform menial tasks around the site once Camp ClapHans is up and running.

"Obviously, a lot of volunteers are going to be needed for the camp to run smoothly," Gaston said. "It's a good opportunity for individuals, church groups and others wanting to help. Volunteers are going to be the key to success here."

A scholarship program is also in the works and administrators said they are looking at the idea of allowing sponsors to pay the way of potential campers, many of whom would never be able to afford to attend on their own.

"Ninety percent of the center's patients are Medicaid eligible," Peters said.

Not just for the children

Camp ClapHans will be designed, first and foremost, with disabled children in mind.

The pool will be "zero entry," meaning that the water will start from ground level and gradually get deeper, "kind of like the wave pool at White Water Bay," Gaston said.

Wheelchairs made from PVC pipe will allow those who cannot walk the opportunity to use the pool.

An adapted tree house and ropes course also will be on the grounds for the children to enjoy.

But Camp ClapHans isn't just for the disabled children -- it's for their families, too.

"We have a respite program to give the parents a break from the stress of caring for a disabled child, but it's only one bed at a time," Kuestersteffen said.

"As you can imagine, the bed is pretty much booked all year."