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. 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. 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. I have never had any sexual interaction with anyone other than my wife. Bob asked when he would pay it back? Wes said he didnt know. Wayne Aarum, a pastor and operator of theCircle C RanchChristian camp in Delevan, who has been accused ofinappropriately touchingat least 21 teenage girls in the past, is now suingThe Chapelmegachurch over what he says are manufactured allegations against him to gain control of the camps land. 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. To email a Board member directly, click their email address below. Aarum, whose late father, Wes Aarum Sr., founded Circle C Ranch in 1968, previously worked as a youth pastor at Buffalo-area megachurch The Chapel in the 1990s. It matters in small towns. Throughout this entire time we have done our best in trying to resolve the issues they have put forth. endstream endobj startxref 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. It's vital people describing trauma or harm be listened to with sensitivity and patience; coming forward is often an act of courage. Simply select the past meetings minutes you wish to view or you can view the DRAFT minutes which will be approved at the next board meeting. We have requested to meet with them several times and each time they have refused, a statement on the camps website said, explaining the reason for the lawsuit. It is a credit to Taddeo's and Silvarole's reporting that they did everything humanly possible to find out more about what has occurred over the years at Circle C. Ranch. All rights reserved. Shortly after her graduation they were married. Families can register online to attend camp overnightwith their children at Circle C Ranch on either July 9-11 or August 6-8. 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. This is the Annual Report of the Board of Directors of the Circle C Homeowners Association. 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. The Ranch owed (Snell) a heightened, fiduciary duty of care because they held themselves out as being able to provide a safe and secure environment for children, the lawsuit read. Wes said none its for the Lord. I have never touched anyone with any inappropriate motive," Aarum said in an email to USA TODAY Network reporters on April 28, 2021. Like much of the world, they've been closely watching what's been unfolding in Afghanistan. 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. The lawsuit stated that the Chapels leadership was aware of the increasing value of the property and embarked on a campaign to remove Aarum from the board of Living Waters Ministries Inc., to create a more favorable board of directors to control the Circle C Ranch Camp and the use and disposition of its land.. by Webmaster | Oct 20, 2014 | Board of Directors Meeting. The camp cited state restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the change. It was decided that he should be contacted and asked for a loan of $30,000. 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. A USA TODAY Network Investigation found thatAarum, 55,touchedat least 16teenage girls inappropriately, according to their firsthand accounts. An email to Wayne Aurum, and a call to attorney's in Williamsville who are representing Aurum in the defamation lawsuit were not returned Monday. 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. 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. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. The Circle C board goes on to accuse The Chapel of sponsoring anonymous claims from the alleged victims, even thought The Chapel says all information was unsolicited and the victims are not anonymous to The Chapel. 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. In a March 26 interview with Buffalo TV station WKBWs 7 Eyewitness News Aarum said he had not been given the opportunity to defend himself by MinistrySafe and that witnesses who supported him had not been interviewed. Percy, as he wanted to be called, was considered by many as the founder of the Christian Camping Ministry. I pledge to you this:TheD&Cteam will do its best to serve Greater Rochester and each of our readers every single day. At 18 years of age he was the lifeguard at Pine brook, a very unique teen camp in Pennsylvania whose founder was Percy Crawford. According to information shared on its website, Circle C Ranch said state restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the sudden change in programming to include now the parents of children. It is independent of the Circle C Ranch Homeowners Association. 1.) On each occasion, Wayne Aarum, as spokesperson for the board of directors, refused to sell or lease any portion of the land used by the Circle C Ranch for such purposes recognizing that the corporation was giving up hundreds of thousands of dollars over the next decade, the lawsuit says. 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. 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. As Ross Barker said, without Marge we would have never made it. How true! Now God would go to work and make this camp a reality. In the civil lawsuit filed on June 2, Aarum, 55, who leads the First Baptist Church of Arcade, and sits on the board of the Living Waters Ministries Inc., which runs the Christian camp, is seeking a collective $3.125 million in damages from The Chapel for "harm to reputation, mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, and emotional injury," as well as financial damages. A spokesperson for The Chapel says it has absolutely no interest in acquiring Circle C Ranch., But the Circle C board says thats simply not true, and claims The Chapel has put forth a campaign to destroy Wayne Aarums reputation., Everything thats been presented to us is anonymous, said Dekalb about the accusations. Jerry Gillis was appointed as lead pastor of the church in 2002 and Camardo joined the staff as executive pastor in 2010. Footer 2018 Community Report Contact Info Through all this, Aarum remains as the Circle C camp president today. You can also join via video conferencing (Zoom), the Zoom link can be found under the " Resource " tab and meetings are open to the community. Aarum Sr. managed the camp's operations until his health failed in the fall of 2019. Agendas will be posted in the Board Meeting Agenda folder under the Resource tab on the Wednesday prior to the meeting. Now there was a need for the total of $40,000 to get things moving. In a written response to the allegations posted on its website, Circle C leaders defended Aarum, saying he has been systematically denied the right of every person in the American systemto know and confront accusers, and alleged that The Chapels leadership turned to social media influencers and the pastors of other churches to help distribute its anonymous claims., The leaders said sponsoring anonymous claims is directly counter to the Bibles specific teachings., In another documentone of seven on the siteCircle C accused the Chapel, a megachurch with an enormous budget, well over $12 million annually, of trying to acquire the Ranchs property, a very choice 315 acres of rural land, by demanding a board restructuring to exclude members of the family that began the Ranch in 1968 and has run it ever since.. The board - which consists of Wayne Aarum, his brother, Wes, and Daryl Dekalb - posted a 34-page report on the. 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. When Andrew died in 1999, however, the new management at The Chapel became more expansionist and financially oriented, the suit argues. Circle C is the best summer camp Program Director, Counselor, Maintenance (Former Employee) - Delevan, NY - September 12, 2018 Circle C ranch is the best summer camp for young kids to work at. Have questions about what happened at your last Associations Board Meeting, well this folder has the answers. 2023 www.democratandchronicle.com. But Norris, who founded Ministry Safe says she has over three decades experience litigating child sexual abuse issues, and tells 7 Eyewitness News: Few of the women who came forward during the investigation knew other; the behavior complained of spanned DECADES. Little did he realize that 23 years later God would let him have the desire of his heart. We have repeatedly requested to know who the anonymous accusations are coming from and again, with the exception of one instance, they have refused. Percy, as they wanted to call him, was considered by many to be the founder of the Christian Camp Ministry. For over one and a half years The Chapel has been leading an aggressive campaign against Circle C Ranch, our family, and the ministry legacy of Mr. Wes. Aarum, in recent sermons, has compared the accusations to Jesus being crucified by people he helped, as reported by The Roys Report. Aarum has repeatedly denied any allegations of inappropriate conduct. Growth of Circle C Ranch . The Circle C HOA Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, January 27, at 6:30pm via ZOOM. 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. Circle C Ranch opened in the late 1960s on a 315-acre wooded parcel in rural Cattaraugus County. set COVID-19 rules and restrictions for summer camps, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Marges love for the Lord led her, along with her other jobs, to be the teacher of a womens weekly Bible study. %PDF-1.6 % However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. 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. The Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 6:30pm, at the Community Center. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. Kens wife Joann was an R.N and she worked in a local hospital to help support them while the camp was being built. Year Lots in the Association Lots paying full assessment . I don't know, but one thing I am sure of is that Taddeo and Silvarole will be ready to write about it. The Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 6:30pm at the Community Center. For his part, Aarum denies the claimsand defends his conduct, saying in an email, "I have never touched anyone with any inappropriate motive.". Because of its unique history as part of the Circle C Ranch neighborhood, The Child . Last week, Aarum filed a civil lawsuit against The Chapel alleging defamatory statements. 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 sexually victimizing her between the ages of 9 and 16. 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The camp was founded by Wayne Aarums father Wes Aarum Sr., and both Wayne and his brother, Wes Aarum Jr., serve on the board. 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. "Double H Ranch changed my life in more ways than one. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. Follow heronTwitter @Sjtaddeo. That was of the Lord. 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. Links to the ZOOM meetings and meeting agendas may be found on the website at www. Mr. Petereson was willing to sell the land for the price of the mortgage - $14,800. 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. It makes a difference to people of all backgrounds and life experiences. The Board of Directors meeting date and time is on the last Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm. Investigation: 16 women say this pastor and camp president abused them. It would have all the mystique of the Old West and it would look like a town in the 1800s. Its a thrill to see what God has done over the years. Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. The preschool and its programs are funded by tuition, fees and fundraising. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. You can also join. Reporters also tried to contactRonald Snell,a longtime friend of Wes Aarum Sr. andCircle C board member for a short period, whowas also present at the meeting. Attorney Steven Long of Williamsvillelaw firm Long & Paulo-Lee, PLLC, who represents Aarum, did not immediately return requests for comment. Circle C board defends accused camp director Weeks after a Delevan minister and local camp director Wayne Aarum was accused of sexual misconduct by 21 former campers and staffers, the Circle. The windmill project developer made efforts, beginning in 2015 and continuing in 2019 to purchase access to the land controlled by the board of directors of Living Waters Ministries Inc. both for the construction and operation of very large windmills and for the construction and operation of the very large transmission line associated with the windmill project. According to its own investigation, which included interviews with adult supervisors who oversaw youth programs in the 90s- no one saw anything inappropriate take place. Two other days, July 3 and 31, are designated as "Family Fun Days," according to the website. Group led Water Aerobics starts on Tuesday May 2nd! Being a 15 year old girl, newly diagnosed with leukemia, your entire world is crazy. There was over 100 acres of good haying land on this property so they had plenty of feed for the horses. Return to homepage. They travelled over 100 miles one way every weekend until the job as done and then they donated all the fixtures as well. 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. If you would like a hard copy, please contact the HOA office at 512-288-8663. Missed chances:Woman says she reported possible abuse at Circle C Ranch to police years ago. Michael Kilian is executive editor of the Democrat and Chronicle. A social worker can get anyone to say anything, Dekalb said. Please click here to learn how. In the interests of fairness, the two reporters pursued interviews with supporters of Aarum. 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. 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. We have reporters standing by. Prior to becoming director of Circle C Ranch, Aarum worked as a youth pastor atBuffalo-area megachurch The Chapel in the 1990s. READ THE FULL INVESTIGATION:These women say a Western NY pastor, Christian camp president abused them as teenagers, Lasting trauma:He was my identity: How emotional, spiritual abuse creates lasting trauma. Please consider becoming a digital subscriber. 1172 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<68B4082DB4D6FC4383E0F28BC61E5849>]/Index[1154 26]/Info 1153 0 R/Length 94/Prev 389485/Root 1155 0 R/Size 1180/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream He never asked for a quid pro quo of any kind for The Chapels contributions..

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