A former camper and staff member at Circle C Ranch, a Christian camp in Cattaraugus County, has filed a lawsuit against the camp and its president, Wayne Aarum, accusing Aarum of grooming and. I think she is in a place in her life where shes ready to come forward, the former employee said. These persons said they'dwitnessedAarumsactions, or heard aboutthemfrom staff or loved ones. But Carnahan said she has made clear on social media who she is and what she alleges Aarum did. 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. Wes Aarum preaches at Kingdom Bound at Darien Lake in 2012. Camps are also required to collect information about the vaccination status of each camper and staff member, and perform health screenings upon arrival. Georgie Silvarole/USA TODAY Network New York People reported his alleged behavior to camp officials and church leaders over 20 times since 1997. 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. Officials at the Chapel said they were first made aware in 2019 of allegations about Aarums inappropriate behavior at the camp and took that information to the Circle C Ranch board, according to a statement provided to The News and posted on the Chapel's website. 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. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. That always raises the risk that someone will find the teacher to be too close for comfort. 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. Click here to read a copy of the MinistrySafe report submitted to state officials. Wes said none its for the Lord. For his part, Aarum denies the claimsand defends his conduct, saying in an email, "I have never touched anyone with any inappropriate motive.". More: Christian camp Circle C announces changes to summer program after abuse allegations surface. 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.. 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. I have never touched anyone with any inappropriate motive," Aarum said in an email to USA TODAY Network reporters on April 28, 2021. Im not the type of person to spread things around just to ruin someone, she said. Waynes brother, Wes, was highly regarded as a minister at the Chapel for many years, as well. read more Filed Under: Church 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 Wayne Aarum, a former employee of The Chapel who worked there in the 1990s. To honor, Glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The Circle C Homeowners Association is a non-profit corporation governed by a seven member Board of Directors. I can honestly say no., Aarum added, Did someone contact them before MinistrySafe did? 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.. 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.. 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. Read the full story from News Staff Reporter Jay Tokasz. "I wish I had a more accurate way to respond to some of these things people are saying.". 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. Your support allows us to continue to produce quality journalism, week in and week out. She also attended First Baptist Church of Arcade, where Aarum is pastor, and volunteered at the Circle C Ranch in the winter. 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. "Wayne has ministered to thousands and thousands of kids over the years, and we never heard anything from anybody.". 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. "Due to Covid Restrictions we have decided to pour all of our resources into our family camp weekends," the website reads. 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.. In an interview in March with WKBW-TV, Aarum said he had "zero recollection" of touching anyone inappropriately. According to a . 1.) Click here to read the full statement from The Chapel. The work poses many challenges. 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. 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. 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. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. 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. 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.. Thank you for your support. Miracle after Miracle, God has provided for Circle C Ranch and as long as God continues to provide, we will continue to serve Him! Hannah Buehler reports. 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. That was of the Lord. "So much so, we are changing our traditional schedule to give your family the chance to experience everything we are offering this year.". After Bible School, University and Seminary Wes went full time into the Lords work. Marges love for the Lord led her, along with her other jobs, to be the teacher of a womens weekly Bible study. 10451 Ashcraft Rd Delevan, NY 14042 One of America's most exciting Christian Camps. Reach him at mkilian@gannett.com. Wes had been a youth pastor, pastor, evangelist, leader in Youth for Christ and director of a Bible Conference. Sarah Taddeo is an enterprisereporter for USA Today Network's New York State Team. Pine brook was a great soul-winning camp and that summer hundreds of teens accepted Christ. After hearing a report of abuse by a former staffer at the Circle C Ranch, The Chapel hired Ministry Safe to conduct an investigation. They know Mr. Aarum personally, often for decades, and they know he would never intentionally harm anyone.. "Circle C Ranch is aware of allegations raised against our President. 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. 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. 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. One of America's most exciting Christian Camps. 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. She was saved as a teenager, went to Buffalo and became a Registered Nurse. 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. 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. Wayne S. Aarum, who runs the Circle C Ranch in Delevan, claimed in a defamation lawsuit filed this week that The Chapel and its executive pastor, John Camardo, engaged in a sustained campaign of false and malicious accusations against Aarum that hurt his reputation. To more or less prime the pump?. WAYNE AARUM. Theyspoke to 19 other individuals including persons who worked at the camp, relatives and local pastors. Leaders at The Chapel said they, through MinistrySafe, also reported the allegations to law enforcement. 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. Dekalb appeared to place blame on the women who have come forward, even though leaders at The Chapel have described them as credible and courageous. Former employee said the Lord Jesus Christ summer program after abuse allegations surface years and. We hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts clear... 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