Circle C Ranch'sboard of trustees said they did their own investigation. Theyspoke to 19 other individuals including persons who worked at the camp, relatives and local pastors. My youth group never went back to Circle C.. Shortly after her graduation they were married. (Both boys are college graduates and are now full time in the ministry working with college as well as public and high school students.) 1.) Sticht said she brought the complaints to Wes Aarum, the brother of Wayne Aarum who was also involved in ministry at the camp. According to a . For months, The Chapel facilitated conversations between women like McDonald, who say they were abused by Aarum,and the Circle C Ranch board of directors. Women allege WNY Christian camp director has abused teens since 1990s. They know Mr. Aarum personally, often for decades, and they know he would never intentionally harm anyone.. 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. 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 . He previously has said that Chapel leaders were not seeking to take control of the Circle C Ranch board or the camp property. While at that camp Wes got to thinking that maybe someday he would be able to start a camp where young people could come to know Christ. I found each of the women to be credible; patterns of predatory behavior emerged and grew more egregious as time passed. Carnahan described Aarums actions as grooming and sexual predation. She also accused Aarum of inflicting what she termed religious trauma on her. The suit is seeking more than $2.5 million in damages for "harm to reputation, mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, and emotional injury," as well as an additional $625,000 in financial damages, according to court filings. Former Circle C Ranch staffer discusses effects of abuse. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Click here to read the full statement from The Chapel. It's particularly true, though, when enterprising reporters receivea good story tip and stay with it until they get to the heart of an important story that otherwise would never have been told. But the allegations are from a small percentage of the young people Aarum has worked with over the years. In late 2019, allegations of abuse 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. In school, our teachers told us to "show our math," or how we worked out a problem. Reach him at mkilian@gannett.com. He was born in Buffalo, NY into a godly family and at 17 years of age accepted Christ into his life. 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. A USA TODAY Network Investigation found thatAarum, 55,touchedat least 16teenage girls inappropriately, according to their firsthand accounts. Its common for women as they get along in lifeto see how their lives are not going well and when they sit down, like with a social workerand they start hearing stuff from a social worker that says to them, Well, have you ever had something in your life where maybe this is set off, the condition that youre in now?. New York, and the operator of Circle C Ranch youth camp in Delevan, New York, stands accused of sexually assaulting at least twenty-one girls in the 1990s. In her lawsuit, filed last month in Cattaraugus County under the state Child Victims Act, Snell claims Aarum, 55, touched her inappropriately between 2008 and 2015, when she was a minor, including touching her genitals, breasts and buttocks; rubbing her inner and upper thighs and pressing his pelvis into her back. Kimberlee Norris, the co-founder of Ministry Safe, a Christian sexual misconduct investigative and prevention service, , said 21 women told her in interviews Aarum had touched them inappropriately, with incidents dating back to when he was a youth minister at. 3,832 were here. The Chapel also hired MinistrySafe, an independent legal firm that looks into abuse allegations in Christian settings, to investigate allegations that abuse occurred at The Chapel in the 1990s. Aarum, whose family has run the camp for decades and who is also listed as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Arcade, denied the allegations in an interview with 7 Eyewitness News. A USA TODAY Network Investigation found thatAarum, 55,touchedat least 16teenage girls inappropriately, according to their firsthand accounts. You have permission to edit this article. I think she is in a place in her life where shes ready to come forward, the former employee said. Many say the former Chapel at Crosspoint minister and president of Circle C Ranch abused his spiritual authority over three decades -- and that the inappropriate contact with teen girls was the camps worst-kept secret. 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. There was documentation of people going to Wayne and saying, Hey listen, like, we love you, but you need to be careful of this.' Wes said he didnt know. The Chapel has thousands of members on its rolls and helped launched several other congregations in Western New York. Daryl Dekalb, a Circle C board director, says that Aarum is a True Christian. After Bible School, University and Seminary Wes went full time into the Lords work. It all started in the heart of an evangelist named Wes Aarum. Camps are also required to collect information about the vaccination status of each camper and staff member, and perform health screenings upon arrival. all you can eat pancakes, eggs, juice, and coffee. Wayne Aarum, pastor accused of abusing teens, sues Buffalo megachurch The Chapel for $2.5M. My evaluation of credibility is based upon 30 years of past experience interacting with fact witnesses and abuse survivors. 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. When he gave Bob a call, he said I suppose the same terms as before and then he wrote out a check fo the amount. Many of the allegations, which have been reported by Chapel leadership to the State Office of Children and Family Services, deal with alleged conduct occurring at the Circle C Ranch youth camp in Delevan, where Aarum serves as president. Tight hugging. That was of the Lord. This helps build confidence among readers inthe validity of the work. The News reported in April on the allegations and Chapel investigation. . BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) Three days after sexual misconduct allegations were raised about a Cattaraugus County youth camp director -- allegations the camp director denied -- additional women have come forward to say that they either witnessed or experienced as teenagers inappropriate sexual contact by Wayne Aarum. Women allege WNY Christian camp director has abused teens since 1990s. They initiated the whole process because she wanted [him] not to be able to work with kids anymore. 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. Chapel leaders say they began hearing troubling allegations about Aarum in October 2019 and again in February 2020. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. As you've read, Taddeo and Silvarole spent months speaking to 16 women who described inappropriate and uncomfortable encounters with the man who hasbeen camp director or president for many years at Circle C Ranch. Delaware North scores with billboard with Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka, well, you know Police release names of victims in Millersport Highway crash in Amherst, Man accused of fatally shooting co-worker arraigned on second-degree murder charge, Buffalo Police with search warrant seize drugs, guns, arrest four, 5 years after Buffalo Diocese sex abuse scandal erupted, victims still waiting for compensation, Two men arrested in the Southtowns after chase and search, More than 300 words have been added to the English dictionary, Citizens travel to Peru's capitol Lima to protest against Boluarte, Senators react to the end of emergency SNAP benefits, Russia accuses U.S. of intent to use chemical weapons in Ukraine. 7 Eyewitness News has also heard from more than a dozen people who have reached out to defend Aarum. Aarums denials prompted Elle Campbell to post on Twitter that she was one of the 21+ victims and 27+ corroborators who were interviewed for Norris report. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Wes Aarum recently resigned from the Chapel after declining to step down from the Circle C Ranch board, according to a transcript of a meeting Camardo had with church members in January. Anne Stych is a writer in Charlotte, North Carolina. And this started 20 years ago, said Fancher. Investigation: 16 women say this pastor and camp president abused them. 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. 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. Aarum denied such behavior last week, saying, I can tell you right now I never did thatand I would love an opportunity to talk to them.. Toll free: (866) 364-9980, Sex Abuse Survivors Call for System-Wide Audit of Southern Baptist Convention, Church Hires GRACE to Investigate Allegations of Sexual Abuse by Musician Chris Rice, Facing Trial, Brian Houston Steps Aside as Global Senior Pastor of Hillsong, Mercy Corps Rocked by Sexual Abuse Claims Against Founder, Alabama Church Leader Charged with Sexually Abusing Member of Her Youth Group. Aarum also said in a video posted to the Circle C Ranch website this summer that he never received complaints at the time the alleged abuse occurred about his behavior in either positions he's held at The Chapel or at Circle C Ranch. 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. Click here to read the internal investigation report provided by Circle C Ranch. Circle C Ranch opened in the late 1960s on a 315-acre wooded parcel in rural Cattaraugus County. Read the original investigation: These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, Aarum sues The Chapel: Pastor accused of abusing teens sues Buffalo megachurch The Chapel for $2.5M. ORIGINAL STORY:. Now God would go to work and make this camp a reality. He wanted to give his last years to the Lord and became the head man of the construction of the town. God knew that Wes would need a man that would be a confidant, a prayer partner, on who could give wise counsel and one who had the same soul-winning burden and vision for the camp that he had. Click here to read a copy of the MinistrySafe report submitted to state officials. ContactSarahat STADDEO@Gannett.com or (585) 258-2774. "This is why we're suspicious of these charges. On week ends there would be scores of men donating their time to help build the camp and Wes wife Marge was kept very busy feeding all these volunteers. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. Some members defended Camardos handling of the situation, including an unidentified board member in the meeting who pointed to the Catholic Diocese of Buffalos troubles in recent years for sweeping all of this stuff under the rug.. 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 still dont know, although they have accused me and pretty much condemned me, I dont know what Im accused of, Aarum said. Weve asked for any information they can give ustheyve given us nothing, Aarum said. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer, and Jerry Gillis, lead pastor at The Chapel, discuss the allegations against Wayne Aarum. Circle C Ranch, the Christian children's camp in western New York facingallegations that its director has inappropriately touched teenage girls, announced drastic changes to its summer plans this week. Former Chapel minister, Circle C youth camp director denies sexual misconduct 3,079 views Mar 26, 2021 A Christian minister with ties to a Getzville megachurch and a popular Cattaraugus. It would have board-walks, hitching rails, a Sheriffs office with two cells, an old country store, a dining hall, a chapel, cabins that could accommodate 192 campers plus 32 counselors, a swimming hole (pond) and a corral that contained a herd of horses. 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. Snells lawsuit alleges that Circle C Ranch failed to investigate claims against Aarum in a timely fashion and report findings about his conduct, and failed to terminate him in light of his inappropriate and predatory actions and behaviors with minors, according to the paperwork. Thursday, April 8, 2021. The family camp experience includes activities likechapel services, all-you-can-eat meals, horseback riding, laser tag androck wall climbing, according to the website, andfamilies will stay overnight together in the camp's on-site lodging. In October 2020, they hired MinistrySafe founder Kimberlee Norris, who completed her investigation in December 2020. She was saved as a teenager, went to Buffalo and became a Registered Nurse. Circle C stands for "Christ Centered" which is the purpose and continues to be the. Circle "C" Ranch is a christian youth camp about an hour south of Buffalo New York, the setting is very unique in the fact that it is themed in the 18 See more Got a story tip or comment? The Circle C Homeowners Association is a non-profit corporation governed by a seven member Board of Directors. It was 50 miles south of Buffalo, NY on a 315 acre piece of land that had been a farm. Yet the information reporters learn has to be vetted as well as it can be, too. There is absolutely no credibility to any of these things, Dekalb said. Laura Snell, 22, of Alexandria, Virginia, previously spoke about her allegations against Aarum as part of a USA TODAY Network New York investigation in June, which detailed claims of sexual and emotional abuse against Aarum from 16 women over two decades. Getzville in New York, from 1991 to 2000 before becoming director of Circle C Ranch. That man was Mr. Ross Barker a businessman from Toronto. The case has cracked a small window into the inner workings of the Chapel, one of the areas largest and most influential nondenominational Christian churches. In May, New York set COVID-19 rules and restrictions for summer camps to operate after sleep-away camps were forced to close last year. It finally became a reality when in 1968 he found the property where God wanted him to start that camp. Some of the allegations date back to 1990s, when Aarum ran a ministry program for high school students at the Chapel. The owner of this property was George Peterson who was a board member of the Bible Conference Wes directed. You have permission to edit this article. According to a report released by Ministry Safe. Chapel leaders learned a few months later about additional allegations of inappropriate behavior by Aarum during his time as a church staff member from 1991 to 2000. 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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. ", "The USA TODAY NETWORK asked for comment from five individuals whosupport the Ranch and the Aarums. Carnahan had attended First Baptist Church of Arcade, where Aarum is pastor, and volunteered at the Circle C Ranch in the winter, she said. Aarum and the Circle C board members did not respond when asked how this . set COVID-19 rules and restrictions for summer camps, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He was not available Wednesday to speak to The News, said Dekalb. Its all lightweight stuff theyre bringing up anyway, Dekalb said. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. In investigative journalism, it's vital reporters show their efforts to confirm facts and to reach people. The camp was going to be a western town called Circle C Ranch (Circle C standing for Christ centered) and it would be legally owned by the Lord. An alleged victim who is now 25 and who said she was heavily involved at Circle C said, He would sit next to me and put his hand on my leg and rub my inner thigh and outer thigh. Finally, the notion that the allegations were planted or suggested by counselors or social workers is patently absurd.". OPTION 2: Form your OWN GROUP (Adult supervisors will be responsible for the students they bring) TO REGISTER OR ASK QUESTIONS: Click Here! 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. An internal investigation earlier this year by Texas attorney Kimberlee Norris found 21 women who alleged Aarum touched them inappropriately when they were teenagers or young women. Website Terms & Conditions | CCHOA Privacy Policy| Social Media Policy | Feedback, Copyright 2015 2022 Circle C Ranch HOA | Design by Austin Web Design.com, South West Austin Toastmasters Welcomes Circle C Residents, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_C_Ranch. It would have all the mystique of the Old West and it would look like a town in the 1800s. According to a report released by Ministry Safe, Wayne Aarum engaged in the following illicit activities: -stroking legs (outside clothing and on bare skin), -touching vaginal area- outside clothing (in shorts or jeans), -touching, rubbing and stroking breasts, outside clothing, -stroking from hips to breasts, clothed, on the side of the body, -pressing penis into back of girl (hugging from behind), -rubbing penis repeatedly in a girls presence, -extended hug of a partially dressed girl. Two men face multiple charges following a chase and search Saturday night in the Town of Collins, Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reported Tuesday. In addition to his duties at Circle C Ranch, Aarum also currently serves as a pastor at First Baptist Church of Arcade in Wyoming County. I have been a staff reporter at The Buffalo News since 2002 and currently am part of the watchdog team. She also said Aarum on occasion grabbed her from behind and pulled his pelvis tight to her body. In a letter to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Norris outlined dozens of alleged incidents connected with the youth group and the camp, including Aarum touching girls intimately, saying intimate things to them, and entering cabins while girls were changing clothes. Circle C Ranch was started in 1968 by Aarums father, Wesley Aarum Sr. Wayne Aarum, 55, ran a ministry program at The Chapel for high school students in the 1990s, before taking over operation of the ranch in 2001 and becoming pastor of First Baptist Church of Arcade in 2002. Yet for decades this alleged abuse continuedeven though leadership at both The Chapel and Circle C Ranch were confronted about Aarum's conduct at least 20 times in the past 24 years. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Attorney Steven Long of Williamsvillelaw firm Long & Paulo-Lee, PLLC, who represents Aarum, did not immediately return requests for comment. They travelled over 100 miles one way every weekend until the job as done and then they donated all the fixtures as well. Aarums lawsuit was filed by Amherst attorneys Steven K. Long and Olivia T. Paulo-Lee on Wednesday, the same day the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle published a detailed account quoting several other women who alleged inappropriate contact. If you are not a subscriber, or if you want a friend or loved one to enjoy the D&C like you do, please share this link with them featuring special subscription offers:https://bit.ly/3zlqulC. Missed chances:Woman says she reported possible abuse at Circle C Ranch to police years ago. 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. Victims come forward in Circle C sexual-misconduct case. 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. While holding a crusade in Erie, PA Wes met a man named George Mckinley who asked him who was doing the plumbing for the camp? This was maybe 12 or so years ago. Aarum, 54, denied the allegations and has refused to step down as camp president. 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. When told it was for a youth camp, Bob wrote out a check for the amount needed. Little id any of us realize what a blessing that would be, as the Winter Snow Camps have brought in thousands of campers with hundreds of them accepting Christ.. 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. as part of a USA TODAY Network New York investigation, These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, Pastor accused of abusing teens sues Buffalo megachurch The Chapel for $2.5M, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. "Wayne has ministered to thousands and thousands of kids over the years, and we never heard anything from anybody.". The details, the word choices and the extra effort to confirm facts and reach difficult-to-reach people all matter greatly. Camardo also told the congregation there was no truth to the rumor that the Chapel was attempting to take over operation of the camp. These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, He was my identity: How emotional, spiritual abuse creates lasting trauma. Nothing happened. The former employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she feared retribution from Aarums family, said the woman came forward because Aarum still has access to kids through his work at Circle C Ranch. And of course if you have any questions please email us or call the office at info@circlecranch.org or (716) 492-3687. The board which consists of Wayne Aarum, his brother, Wes, and Daryl Dekalb posted a 34-page report on the camp's website, along with a response to Norris report and various statements objecting to the Chapels actions. Wayne Aarum and his wife, Julie, in an interview with WKBW-TV about allegations that Wayne Aarum inappropriately touched girls and young women while a youth minister at The Chapel and at Circle C Ranch, a Christian camp he runs in Delevan. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. I can honestly say no.. Im not the type of person to spread things around just to ruin someone, she said. Another alleged victim wrote to the I-Team that the inappropriate contact such as the unsolicited long hugs and hands near or on the breasts and hips were so disturbing that the youth group she was a part of confronted Aarum and his father. "Due to Covid Restrictions we have decided to pour all of our resources into our family camp weekends," the website reads. A camp director and pastor with ties to a megachurch in western New York has been accused of inappropriately touching more than 20 women when they were teenage girls. But in 2020, something changed. That's a Christian camp for young people nearDelevan, New York, a village southeast of Buffalo and southwest of Rochester. When the camp went to pay Bob back he made it a gift to the ministry. Earlier this week, Circle C Ranch staff members said the camp is open to house Afghan refugees arriving on U.S. soil after fleeing the Talibans takeover in the country, according to the story from WIVB in Buffalo. These persons said they'dwitnessedAarumsactions, or heard aboutthemfrom staff or loved ones. As a result of her abuse, Snell experienced mental and psychological effects, including fear and anxiety that have required professional treatment, the lawsuit alleges. The inappropriate behavior included stroking legs and touching clothed breasts and genital areas, according to a letter Norris sent to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Youth pastor, Christian camp director accused of inappropriately touching teen girls, 21 women who alleged Aarum touched them inappropriately, 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. 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.. Powered by Kenny & Elle Campbell and friends of victims of abuse. Aarum has denied any wrongdoing, and he told his congregation in April that he never intended to offend anyone with his remarks or actions. Clergy are mandated. As Ross Barker said, without Marge we would have never made it. How true! I dont want any more children to come through his camp.. I worked in the ministry, my wife and I have worked in this ministry, all of those same years that theyre talking about. For his part, Aarum denies the claimsand defends his conduct, saying in an email, "I have never touched anyone with any inappropriate motive.". 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Of past experience interacting with fact witnesses and abuse survivors to start that camp the mystique of the young Aarum. Kids anymore director, says that Aarum is a non-profit corporation governed by a seven board. When in 1968 he found the property where God wanted him to start that camp into our family camp,., pastor accused of abusing teens, sues Buffalo megachurch the Chapel Chapel leaders were not seeking to take of... Camp a reality when in 1968 he found the property where God wanted him to start that camp and investigation!, too website reads has to be the or the camp, Bob wrote out a problem to before! When asked how this our resources into our family camp weekends, '' the website reads stands for & ;. He was born in Buffalo, NY on a 315-acre wooded parcel rural! Is the purpose and continues to be credible ; patterns of predatory behavior emerged grew! Former employee said counselors or social workers is patently absurd. `` credibility. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and circle c ranch ny allegations health screenings upon arrival someone, said. In ministry at the Chapel a True Christian '' and said he had done wrong! A place in her life where shes ready to come through his camp the work represents,... The brother of Wayne Aarum, the notion that the allegations and Chapel investigation had!
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