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. If you are new to the Web site, be sure to complete the Sign Up information to receive a password to the private and secured portions of the site. Less than a week after the USA TODAY Network New Yorkpublished its investigation into the allegations against Aarum in June, Circle C Ranch announced it would pivot its typical summer camp schedule for 2021 to family weekends, which would include parents as well as children. She said, If they're thinking of sending their children there this summer, I want people to know.. I still dont know, although they have accused me and pretty much condemned me, I dont know what Im accused of, Aarum said. ContactSarahat STADDEO@Gannett.com or (585) 258-2774. I think she is in a place in her life where shes ready to come forward, the former employee said. Nothing happened. 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. The letter says 27 individuals offered corroborating evidence for the 21 victims, including former Circle C employees, church leaders, and volunteers who witnessed inappropriate behaviors. According to a . The camp is veering from its traditional model this summer, insteadfocusing on "Family Camp Weekends" in July and August, according to information shared on its website on Monday. My byline has run in the Ithaca Journal, USA Today, the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle and the New York Times. Carnahan had attended First Baptist Church of Arcade, where Aarum is pastor, and volunteered at the Circle C Ranch in the winter, she said. Wayne Aarum, a former senior high minister at, in Getzville, New York, current pastor of. We have reporters standing by. Just after the story published, the camp announced a change for how it will operate this summer, emphasizing the presence of families there and not individual teens. 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. People brought this to his attention. None agreed to interviews on the recordfor this story, and they didnot provide additional sources who would be willing to comment on the record.". 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. And of course if you have any questions please email us or call the office at info@circlecranch.org or (716) 492-3687. If I have offended you, I will apologize, he said during a church service in April. A friend of Ross & Wes was a man named Bob Lowe who was a very successful businessman. 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. We have TWO options for bringing campers to Snow Camp. The leadership of New York Christian camp Circle C Ranch defended operations director Wayne Aarum against claims that he engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with multiple girls beginning decades ago, saying an internal investigation showed there was "no substantial credible evidence" of misconduct. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Leaders at The Chapel said they, through MinistrySafe, also reported the allegations to law enforcement. 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. To honor, Glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. 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. It is very difficult to do this kind of work successfully from across the room. Some of the allegations date back to 1990s, when Aarum ran a ministry program for high school students at the Chapel. 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. Wes Aarum preaches at Kingdom Bound at Darien Lake in 2012. He was not available Wednesday to speak to The News, said Dekalb. 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. 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. 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. It was 50 miles south of Buffalo, NY on a 315 acre piece of land that had been a farm. Wes said he didnt know. Click here to read the statement from Circle C Ranch. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. These persons said they'dwitnessedAarumsactions, or heard aboutthemfrom staff or loved ones. There was a problem saving your notification. Shortly after her graduation they were married. 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. That was of the Lord. Especially about potency and trying to defeat erectile dysfunction. 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 one letter, the board accused the Chapels executive pastor, John Camardo, of defamation. She said upon receiving the letter that was sent by MinistrySafe to survivors on Sunday, she has been sick to my stomach ever since.. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. We sift through all the news to give you a concise, informative look at the top headlines and must-read stories every weekday. Circle C Ranch'sboard of trustees said they did their own investigation. Aarum left his role at The Chapel in 2000. Ministry Watch 2022 All rights reserved. DeKalb suggested that the allegations were part of a campaign by Chapel leaders to acquire the youth camp. I have zero recollection of that. I, myself, personally 20 years ago sat down with Mr. Wes (Wayne Aarums father) and said, I love Wayne with all my heart, but I saw him interact in a way that was just inappropriate. , Fancher said he also has heard firsthand accounts from women who are truly victims.. There is absolutely no credibility to any of these things, Dekalb said. Families can register online to attend camp overnightwith their children at Circle C Ranch on either July 9-11 or August 6-8. 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. Some of the allegations date back to 1990s, when Aarum ran a ministry program for high school students at the Chapel. Mr. Petereson was willing to sell the land for the price of the mortgage $14,800. Reach him at mkilian@gannett.com. Sticht said she brought the complaints to Wes Aarum, the brother of Wayne Aarum who was also involved in ministry at the camp. It isan investigative journalist's role to examine possible abuses of power or allegations of misfeasance or malfeasancethoroughly,keeping fairness and accuracy front and center in their work. 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. Other alleged inappropriate behaviors are mentioned in the report. WHAT TO BRING: WHAT NOT TO BRING: Michael Kilian is executive editor of the Democrat and Chronicle. "So much so, we are changing our traditional schedule to give your family the chance to experience everything we are offering this year.". To more or less prime the pump?. Does public speaking or speaking in a group make you nervous? "Waynes work prevents teenage suicides, avoids teen pregnancies, postpones too-young marriages, helps confront bullying at school, teaches how to respond appropriately to parents and authority figures, how to survive peer pressure, and how to defend their faith in a kind, positive way, the board said. But the allegations are from a small percentage of the young people Aarum has worked with over the years. The accounts of the women, describing incidents involving Wayne Aarum that took place when they were Circle C Ranch campers, are troubling and concerning. Women allege WNY Christian camp director has abused teens since 1990s. Circle C Ranch released its own investigation of the allegations at The Chapel on the ranch's website in March 2021. 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. It would have all the mystique of the Old West and it would look like a town in the 1800s. Delaware North scores with billboard with Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka, well, you know Pastor accused of touching girls sues Amherst church over allegations, Watch now: Youth pastor, Christian camp director accused of inappropriately touching teen girls, 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. Im not the type of person to spread things around just to ruin someone, she said. This helps build confidence among readers inthe validity of the work. 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. For his part, Aarum denies the claimsand defends his conduct, saying in an email, "I have never touched anyone with any inappropriate motive.". There was documentation of people going to Wayne and saying, Hey listen, like, we love you, but you need to be careful of this.' The lawsuit alleges that leadership of The Chapel have become aware of the growing value of the camp property and that Camardo has sought since 2019 to dig up dirt on Aarum, with the aim of hurting his reputation and creating a more favorable board of directors to control the Circle C Ranch camp and the use and disposition of its land.. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? But she said that it is important that parents be aware of the allegations when making decisions about their kids. Wes said none its for the Lord. Report stated 21 women have made allegations. In the interests of fairness, the two reporters pursued interviews with supporters of Aarum. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. In school, our teachers told us to "show our math," or how we worked out a problem. Aarum has denied the allegations and continues to serve on staff at the camp. 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. {{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. Circle C Ranch opened in the late 1960s on a 315-acre wooded parcel in rural Cattaraugus County. Editor's note: There are descriptions of alleged sexual abuse and opinions about survivors of alleged abuse that may be triggering to abuse survivors. Victims come forward in Circle C sexual-misconduct case. Aarum and the Circle C board members did not respond when asked how thisinvestigation was conducted and who conducted it. and we are celebrating 10 years of building community through these great events. Please consider becoming a digital subscriber. 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. Three people were killed in the one-vehicle crash:Dakota Eldridge, 20, of Cheektowaga; Isabella French, 19, of Buffalo; and Azathiel Pabon, 1, Prosecutors accuse Abdul Hussein, 25, of intentionally firing at his co-worker, a 62-year-old man, who police found shot to death about 3:30 , Four people were arrested and drugs and guns were seized Wednesday as the Buffalo Police Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant in the 200 b, Five years later, despite promises to do right by abuse victims,the diocese has not paid a penny in damagesto an estimated900 people who fi. 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. Over the last year, we have shared several updates regarding our response to the allegations brought to us of inappropriate behavior of Wayne Aarum, a former employee of The Chapel, current President of Circle C Ranch (a youth camp in the Western New York region) and Pastor at First Baptist Church of Arcade. That always raises the risk that someone will find the teacher to be too close for comfort. He assured them they wouldnt see this behavior again, she said. $10- ages 10+ $5- ages under 10 The Chapel first hired MinistrySafe in 2019 to improve its policies after unrelated sexual abuse allegations at its Lockport worship site were reported by The Buffalo News in 2019. We believe in the Divine Inspiration of the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, the creation of man by the diret act of God, the Incarnation and virgin birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, His vicarious atonement for the sin of mankind, His death, burial, resurection, and His coming again bodily to take His saints to be with Him forever. No, he said when asked whether he ever touched anyone inappropriately. 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. Your support allows us to continue to produce quality journalism, week in and week out. And at its best, local journalism reveals truths that leaders and institutions of importance would much prefer remain hidden. WAYNE AARUM. In a written statement issued Friday, Circle C Ranch leadership also suggested that "false memories" could have been planted in accusers' minds. Its a thrill to see what God has done over the years. I have been a staff reporter at The Buffalo News since 2002 and currently am part of the watchdog team. 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. Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer, and Jerry Gillis, lead pastor at The Chapel, discuss the allegations against Wayne Aarum. 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. 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. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. Aarum said that he met a year ago with John Camardo, executive pastor at The Chapel, and Camardo told him that he was accused of abuse of spiritual authority and inappropriate interactions but refused to more clearly define those charges. Investigation: 16 women say this pastor and camp president abused them. 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.. What else might develop? Our Goal: "To reach young people with the gospel of Jesus Christ, to encourage godliness in their lives, and to send them out as equipped witnesses for His kingdom." Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Instead, Chapel leaders offered to share information gathered in the course of the investigation IF Circle C undertook an independent investigation in good faith. 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. Bob asked how much interest? Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. 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. At 18 years of age he was the lifeguard at Pine brook, a very unique teen camp in Pennsylvania whose founder was Percy Crawford. The allegations also were referred to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating, according to Sgt. Women allege WNY Christian camp director has abused teens since 1990s. 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.. Norris runs MinistrySafe, which provides training and screening to prevent child sex abuse in churches, camps, youth sports and other settings. 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.. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. Are you looking for a friendly forum where you can practice and develop your 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 under the Home button. Check the lists below! Getzville in New York, from 1991 to 2000 before becoming director of Circle C Ranch. Click here to read the full statement from The Chapel. 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. Or loved ones successfully from across the room said Dekalb see what God has done over the years notifications only... Journalism reveals truths that leaders and institutions of importance would much prefer hidden. Glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ it is very difficult to do this kind work... 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