WAVERLY HILLS, Texas -- There are lakes, trees, animals of all type and plenty of lodging, but the main attraction at Karolyi's Waverly Hills Camp is gymnastics.

When Bela Karolyi discovered a plot of land in the middle of the National Forest in the early 1980s, he had a big dream and he takes great pleasure in knowing that his dream has come to full fruition.

"This is really an ultimate satisfaction of mine,” said Karolyi, best known as the coach of the U.S. Olympic gymnasts Mary Lou Retton as well as Romanian gymnastics superstar Nadia Comaneci. “I did work hard for that and I did have that in the back of my mind, a vision that one of these days I'd be able to serve the cause and that cause was to prepare the best athletes."

Including 16-year-old Shawn Johnson, who is the defending World All-Around Champion.

Moreover, she appreciates the opportunity to train where so many great gymnasts have come before her.

"It's a motivator. It really lifts your spirits and it makes you want to work harder to get to where they are,” said Johnson.

Russian-born Nastia Luiken, 18, is from the Dallas area and she too knows about the history of this camp.

"Every time you walk in there you actually think how special this place is,” said Luiken. “I'm really fortunate to be here and train at the same place that legends were able to train at."

A number of these women will be in Houston on May 22 for the U.S. Classic, but before then they'll be honing their skills in the middle of the forest north of New Waverly.