I found each of the women to be credible; patterns of predatory behavior emerged and grew more egregious as time passed. 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. They initiated the whole process because she wanted [him] not to be able to work with kids anymore. If you are an abuse survivor, or you would like to share your experiences about the events described above, please send an email to Charlie.Specht@wkbw.com or Hannah.Buehler@wkbw.com. Speaking the truth to a difficult situation can be met with hostility, fear, and a wide variety of other responses., The boards own investigative report also suggested that the unidentified women cited in Norris report may have misinterpreted Aarums gestures of good will because of a common type of trauma in their past that makes them ultra-sensitive to certain kinds of verbal Bible teaching or certain physical actions such as hugs that are entirely appropriate and not at all offensive to other women in the same circumstances.. 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. Shortly after her graduation they were married. 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. There was over 100 acres of good haying land on this property so they had plenty of feed for the horses. Circle C Ranch opened in the late 1960s on a 315-acre wooded parcel in rural Cattaraugus County. Circle C stands for "Christ Centered" which is the purpose and continues to be the. Mr. Petereson was willing to sell the land for the price of the mortgage - $14,800. 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. The membership was advised that the independent investigation credibly confirmed a pattern of inappropriate interaction with young women involved in The Chapel's student ministry in the late 90s and also uncovered ongoing inappropriate interaction with young women not associated with The Chapel who had been involved in the previously referenced local youth camp over the last two decades, The Chapel said in its statement. Drew Silleman. A few months later Wes realized he needed $10,000 more. This Summer we are looking to hire Staff to help facilitate our Summer Camp, Day Camp, and Family Camp programs! Click here to read the internal investigation report provided by Circle C Ranch. 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.". And at its best, local journalism reveals truths that leaders and institutions of importance would much prefer remain hidden. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Finally, the notion that the allegations were planted or suggested by counselors or social workers is patently absurd.". Carnahan described Aarums actions as grooming and sexual predation. She also accused Aarum of inflicting what she termed religious trauma on her. Attorney Steven Long of Williamsvillelaw firm Long & Paulo-Lee, PLLC, who represents Aarum, did not immediately return requests for comment. Few of the women who came forward during the investigation knew other; the behavior complained of spanned DECADES. The allegations also were referred to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating, according to Sgt. Circle C Ranch, the Christian children's camp in western New York facing allegations that its director has inappropriately touched teenage girls, announced drastic changes to its summer. 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. 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. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Aarum and the Circle C board members did not respond when asked how thisinvestigation was conducted and who conducted it. {{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. 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.. Read their stories. Camardo did not respond Friday to a voicemail and email seeking comment. Percy, as he wanted to be called, was considered by many as the founder of the Christian Camping Ministry. This helps build confidence among readers inthe validity of the work. Mr. Barker became the Vice-president and chairman fo the Circle C Ranch Board adn has worked with Wes in that capacity up to this very day. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. In an interview in March with WKBW-TV, Aarum said he had "zero recollection" of touching anyone inappropriately. He assured them they wouldnt see this behavior again, she said. 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. Multiple women told the 7 Eyewitness News I-Team that Aarum would sometimes touch intimate areas and would grab their bra straps. The work poses many challenges. Many of these people say he could not have possibly done what he is accused. Weve asked for any information they can give ustheyve given us nothing, Aarum said. The state's rules allow for the camps to operate with different restrictions for the vaccinated and unvaccinated, with campers over the age of five required to wear masks and maintain social distancing in most situations. Other alleged inappropriate behaviors are mentioned in the report. Aarum has repeatedly denied any allegations of inappropriate conduct. 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 . 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. It was 50 miles south of Buffalo, NY on a 315 acre piece of land that had been a farm. Wes had been a youth pastor, pastor, evangelist, leader in Youth for Christ and director of a Bible Conference. 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. 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. Aarum recently tested positive for Covid-19 and was seriously ill. That man was Mr. Ross Barker a businessman from Toronto. INVESTIGATION: 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, More: Woman says she reported possible abuse at Circle C Ranch to police years ago. Its a thrill to see what God has done over the years. ONE WEEK OF SUMMER CAMP Circle C Ranch 2023 Rate $345 WEEK 1: July 10th-15th (Monday - Saturday) WEEK 2: July 17th-22nd (Monday - Saturday) All meals included All lodging included All activities included REGISTER HERE FOR THE BEST WEEK EVER! 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 Bob asked what it was for? That was of the Lord. Aarum, 55,remains in his position as director of Circle C Ranch. 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. Bob asked how much interest? What else might develop? If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. Access to MinistryWatch content is free. It makes a difference to people of all backgrounds and life experiences. 1.) I have zero recollection of that. 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. I don't know, but one thing I am sure of is that Taddeo and Silvarole will be ready to write about it. Hed get uncomfortably close to my face, and I remember thinking as a teenager about the tension of him being so close to my face, like is he trying to kiss me? said Carnahan, who now lives near Tampa and works in a restaurant. He said no one at the present and George said he would bring his crew up every weekend and do the job as a gift to the Lord. The accounts of the women, describing incidents involving Wayne Aarum that took place when they were Circle C Ranch campers, are troubling and concerning. Wes said none its for the Lord. Victims come forward in Circle C sexual-misconduct case. 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. 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. Check the lists below! Some of the allegations date back to the 1990s, when Aarum ran a ministry program for high school students at The Chapel. Oh, and if you have a good story tip, on any subject, please let us know. In her lawsuit, Snell accused Circle C Ranch and its parent organization, Living Waters Ministries, of negligently retaining Aarum on staff and thus allowing him unfettered and unsupervised access to minors on the campgrounds and during other activities, according to the court filing. Read the full story from News Staff Reporter Jay Tokasz. As Ross Barker said, without Marge we would have never made it. How true! In one letter, the board accused the Chapels executive pastor, John Camardo, of defamation. They travelled over 100 miles one way every weekend until the job as done and then they donated all the fixtures as well. "I wish I had a more accurate way to respond to some of these things people are saying.". In school, our teachers told us to "show our math," or how we worked out a problem. 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. 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. Furthermore, Taddeo and Silvarole included what could be learned about how camp leaders dealt with complaints made about Aarum: "Circle C Ranch wouldultimately determinethe initial allegationswere false through its own internal investigation. Some things have changed but these three things will never change! I remember a lot of hugs lasting a little too long.. I think some of it, as an adult looking back, it crossed a line, she said. In investigative journalism, it's vital reporters show their efforts to confirm facts and to reach people. Chelsea Carnahan, 28, recounted how Aarum would stroke her back and hair, hold her hand and touch her legs during one-on-one counseling sessions and talks when she was a Pioneer High School student from 2006 to 2010. It matters in cities. As a result of her abuse, Snell experienced mental and psychological effects, including fear and anxiety that have required professional treatment, the lawsuit alleges. 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.. Aarum and the Circle C board members did not respond when asked how this . More: Christian camp Circle C announces changes to summer program after abuse allegations surface. Tight hugging. When told it was for a youth camp, Bob wrote out a check for the amount needed. WAYNE AARUM. He has the backing of the camps board of trustees, which released a response to Norris report stating that there is no substantial evidence supporting the claims. He wanted to give his last years to the Lord and became the head man of the construction of the town. After Bible School, University and Seminary Wes went full time into the Lords work. She said upon receiving the letter that was sent by MinistrySafe to survivors on Sunday, she has been sick to my stomach ever since.. After article publication, the law firm has been inundated with calls and emails from additional fact witnesses and victims. set COVID-19 rules and restrictions for summer camps, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. In addition, a contemporaneous writing provided evidence that the behaviors were previously reported to camp leadership. Mr. Petereson was willing to sell the land for the price of the mortgage $14,800. youth camp in Delevan, New York, stands accused of sexually assaulting at least twenty-one girls spanning decades. Waynes brother, Wes, was highly regarded as a minister at the Chapel for many years, as well. Aarum, who was a youth pastor at The Chapel, a large Buffalo-area church, and later the camp president at Circle C Ranch, a Christian camp in rural Cattaraugus County, was a well-known. Thursday, April 8, 2021. Last week, Aarum filed a civil lawsuit against The Chapel alleging defamatory statements. "This is why we're suspicious of these charges. 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. And this started 20 years ago, said Fancher. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. To read the full story from News Staff Reporter Jay Tokasz Eyewitness I-Team! 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