In its response to Norris' report, the Circle C Ranch board suggests that the volume of complaints against Aarum was related to the work he did, often with troubled teenagers. Mr. Petereson was willing to sell the land for the price of the mortgage $14,800. During his tenure at The Chapel, pastors spoke to Aarum multiple times about his conduct with girls in the youth group, according to excerpts from Aarums employee personnel file at The Chapel. The Chapel in Amherst said it cut ties with the Circle C Ranch following an internal investigation by a Texas lawyer that found Wayne Aarum hadengaged in a pattern of inappropriate behaviors, such as stroking the legs and touching the clothed breasts and genital areas of young women and teenage girls. When you are a leader of a church and somebody comes to you and says somebody on your staff abused kids while he was on your staff, what would you expect him to do? the speaker said. That investigation found more than 20 women who said Wayne Aarum touched them inappropriately or fostered inappropriate and abusive relationships with them, both at The Chapel in the 1990s and later at Circle C Ranch, according to a report prepared by MinistrySafe investigator Kimberlee Norris. What else might develop? No, he said when asked whether he ever touched anyone inappropriately. I can honestly say no., Aarum added, Did someone contact them before MinistrySafe did? Weve asked for any information they can give ustheyve given us nothing, Aarum said. Aarum and the Circle C board members did not respond when asked how thisinvestigation was conducted and who conducted it. Circle C Ranch has provided a written response on its website in response to these allegations. Aarum also said that neither he nor campers or staffers who supported him were contacted by MinistrySafe, a Texas-based company that conducts investigations for multiple Christian denominations. The attorney advised that Aarum step down as president and camp director, but the board didnt follow through on that advice, said Fancher, who no longer is on the camps board. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. Wes Aarum preaches at Kingdom Bound at Darien Lake in 2012. set COVID-19 rules and restrictions for summer camps, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The lawsuit alleges The Chapel's executive pastor, John Camardo, used the abuse allegations against Aarum as a way to damage Aarum'sreputation and ability to conduct business, according to the filings. At 18 years of age he was the lifeguard at Pine brook, a very unique teen camp in Pennsylvania whose founder was Percy Crawford. and we are celebrating 10 years of building community through these great events. Wes said he didnt know. Two other days, July 3 and 31, are designated as "Family Fun Days," according to the website. Im not the type of person to spread things around just to ruin someone, she said. investigation by USA TODAY Network New York State Team reporters Sarah Taddeo and Georgie Silvarole, These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, How emotional, spiritual abuse creates lasting trauma, Woman says she reported possible abuse at Circle C Ranch to police years ago, the camp announced a change for how it will operate this summer, Christian camp Circle C announces changes to summer program after abuse allegations surface, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Your support allows us to continue to produce quality journalism, week in and week out. But 7 Eyewitness News spoke with a former employee at the youth camp who said she has spoken with one of the alleged survivors. It would have all the mystique of the Old West and it would look like a town in the 1800s. The board also claims that the Chapel is attempting to use the womens claims to generate controversy and take over the 315-acre rural camp that has been in the Aarum family since 1968. 1.) I have been a staff reporter at The Buffalo News since 2002 and currently am part of the watchdog team. Drew Silleman. But the 7 Eyewitness News I-Team heard from multiple women who said they were not included in the MinistrySafe investigation, which examined claims stretching as far back as the 1990s, and who said their allegations stem from a time at Circle C Ranch between 2000 and 2016. A Christian minister with ties to a Getzville megachurch and a popular Cattaraugus County youth camp stands accused of sexual misconduct with teen girls -- but he denies the allegations. Wes held a crusade in Montana and there God gave him 2 men, Ken Strait & Russ Alexander who were great with horses and hammers and they came east to help build the camp. Carnahan said she was not among the 21 unidentified women cited in the investigative report. Other inappropriate behaviors allegedly occurred during his time as Circle C Ranch director, since 2000, although none of the complaints related to behavior within the past five years. After article publication, the law firm has been inundated with calls and emails from additional fact witnesses and victims. The longtime director of a Christian youth camp in Delevan is refusing to step down despite complaints that he inappropriately touched young women and girls. Now God would go to work and make this camp a reality. I think she is in a place in her life where shes ready to come forward, the former employee said. To reach young people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that they may know that they are born again. Circle C Ranch Director Wayne Aarum filed a $2.5M lawsuit against The Chapel the same day the USA Today Network reported abuse allegations by former camp staffers. Women allege WNY Christian camp director has abused teens since 1990s. We all knew starting on Monday -- when the campers arrived -- we all could pick out which of our girls were going to receive the most attention, be the favorite and the ones we would keep an eye on, Heather Sticht, a former employee of the camp, said in an interview with 7 Eyewitness News. In school, our teachers told us to "show our math," or how we worked out a problem. More: Christian camp Circle C announces changes to summer program after abuse allegations surface. Wayne Aarum, a former senior high minister atThe Chapel at Crosspointin Getzville, New York, current pastor ofFirst Baptist Churchin Arcade, New York, and the operator ofCircle C Ranchyouth camp in Delevan, New York, stands accused of sexually assaulting at least twenty-one girls spanning decades. Campbell declined to comment further when contacted by The News. Some church members objected to what they considered a lack of disclosure earlier about the allegations against Aarum, while others suggested the investigation was tilted against Aarum. Daryl Dekalb, a Circle C board director, says that Aarum is a True Christian. In the interests of fairness, the two reporters pursued interviews with supporters of Aarum. Aarum and the Circle C board members did not respond when asked how this . . Some of the allegations date back to 1990s, when Aarum ran a ministry program for high school students at the Chapel. Aarum has denied the allegations and continues to serve on staff at the camp. Getzville in New York, from 1991 to 2000 before becoming director of Circle C Ranch. You have permission to edit this article. Aarum has denied any wrongdoing, and he told his congregation in April that he never intended to offend anyone with his remarks or actions. Aarum and his supporters have maintained that he is unable to properly address claims being brought against him because he doesnt know who has made them. Hannah Buehler reports. One of America's most exciting Christian Camps. But Carnahan said she has made clear on social media who she is and what she alleges Aarum did. This website was created for residents in order to provide you with more convenience and opportunities to share ideas and information; get news and announcements; access an online resource center for important Thursday, April 8, 2021. I have zero recollection of that. After Bible School, University and Seminary Wes went full time into the Lords work. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. The Chapel has thousands of members on its rolls and helped launched several other congregations in Western New York. Last week, 7 Eyewitness News reported that at least 21 women have come forward to lawyers hired by The Chapel at Crosspoint to probe allegations of inappropriate touching and contact with girls by Aarum, a former employee of The Chapel who worked there in the 1990s. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. A Christian minister with ties to a Getzville megachurch and a popular Cattaraugus County youth camp stands accused of sexual misconduct with teen girls -- even though he denies the allegations. Some former staff said Aarum typically targeted specific girls who were pretty, slim, emotionally fragile or those who had father issues and that girls complained to staff asking for help in avoiding [Aarum]., In a March statement, The Chapels board and pastoral leadership said both their leadership and MinistrySafe have found the allegations to be credible.. Im not anonymous, she said. Sticht, who said she worked at the summer camp from 2000 to 2003, said she witnessed Aarum hug a girl in a way that his fingers would be touching the underwire of her bra., Id see Wayne touching these girls, exactly the ones we knew he would, at the rock climbing wall, Stitch said. OPTION 2: Form your OWN GROUP (Adult supervisors will be responsible for the students they bring) TO REGISTER OR ASK QUESTIONS: Click Here! Some Chapel members expressed anger and frustration over how leadership handled the investigation of Aarum, who was popular with many people connected to the church. I think she and other survivors felt responsible to bring it to light., The former employee said she never recognized Aarums interaction with girls as inappropriate while she worked there as a teen. But in 2020, something changed. The conduct was at times private and at other times out in the open when other camp staffers would be able to witness it, according to Snells lawsuit. Aarum denies the allegations against him and continues to operate the Circle C Ranch. Aarum served at The Chapel, located in the suburb of Getzville in New York, from 1991 to 2000 before becoming director of Circle C Ranch. The change comes less than a week after publication of aUSA TODAY Networkinvestigation, which found that the camp's director, WayneAarum, fostered improper relationships and touchedat least 16teenage girls inappropriately, some on multiple occasions, according to their firsthand accounts. More history on Circle C Ranch can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_C_Ranch. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Some of the allegations date back to 1990s, when Aarum ran a ministry program for high school students at the Chapel. For an overview of the site and a few ideas as to how it can help save you time and get you connected with your community, click About Our Website. Prior to 2020, when COVID-19 preventedthe camp from operating in the summer, Circle C Ranch would host grade and high school-agedchildren without their parents, according to former camp staff. Email:[emailprotected] Chapel leaders say they began hearing troubling allegations about Aarum in October 2019 and again in February 2020. "I wish I had a more accurate way to respond to some of these things people are saying.". There was documentation of people going to Wayne and saying, Hey listen, like, we love you, but you need to be careful of this.' Tight hugging. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Sabres place Alex Tuch on injured reserve; top-line winger's status is uncertain, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone. Fancher said the camp had documented instances in which other camp leaders had approached Aarum about his actions. Holding a crusade in a town nearby Wes was introduced to a man named Bill Daily who worked construction and was also a master stone worker. Nothing happened. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. I have been a staff reporter at The Buffalo News since 2002 and currently am part of the watchdog team. A youth pastor and Christian camp director who was accused of inappropriately touching 21 girls is suing the Amherst megachurch that hired a lawyer to investigate the allegations. In late 2019, allegations of abuse against Aarum began picking up momentum when Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer who worked there in 2006, shared her story with leadership at The Chapel. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. The owner of this property was George Peterson who was a board member of the Bible Conference Wes directed. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Circle C stands for "Christ Centered" which is the purpose and continues to be the. Victims come forward in Circle C sexual-misconduct case. It made me mad watching the interview., Aarum, reached by phone denies that and all the allegations, saying again he wants the opportunity to talk with "anyone who has a problem with him. They initiated the whole process because she wanted [him] not to be able to work with kids anymore. It takes courage to stand up to The Chapels leadership and demand that they stop spending large amounts of the members money pursuing a broad attack on Wayne Aarum that they believe is factually unsupportable, the statement said. Yet the information reporters learn has to be vetted as well as it can be, too. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? Wayne S. Aarum claimed in a defamation lawsuit that The Chapel and its executive pastor, John Camardo, engaged in a sustained campaign of . Another woman wrote that the hugs were so bad that he proceeded to rub my back and hug me for an uncomfortably long time, and did not let go when I tried to pull away.. Daryl Dekalb, a Circle C Ranch Board Member, appeared to place blame on the women who have come forward, even though leaders at The Chapel have described them as credible and courageous. The 75-page transcript, which was posted online at the Circle C website, reveals rifts within the congregation, with members pressing Camardo for details about the investigation of Wayne Aarum and the resignation of Wes Aarum. Former Chapel minister, Circle C youth camp director denies sexual misconduct Report stated 21 women have made allegations A Christian minister with ties to a Getzville megachurch and a popular. In addition, a contemporaneous writing provided evidence that the behaviors were previously reported to camp leadership. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Its all lightweight stuff theyre bringing up anyway, Dekalb said. But she said that it is important that parents be aware of the allegations when making decisions about their kids. That was of the Lord. Whether you are a loyal D&C reader or a new one, please know that stories like this are possible because of subscribers like you.
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