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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. Wes said none its for the Lord. ORIGINAL STORY:. Attorney Kimberlee Norris said she interviewed 21 women who alleged inappropriate touch by Aarum. The Chapel has thousands of members on its rolls and helped launched several other congregations in Western New York. 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. 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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. Through all this, Aarum remains as the Circle C camp president today. 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. We've seen nothing, heard nothing, and they're operating from an anonymous standpoint with everybody, and we believe they have an agenda to take over the ranch," Dekalb added. Camps are also required to collect information about the vaccination status of each camper and staff member, and perform health screenings upon arrival. Call our office at: (716) 492-3687. 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." Click here to read the internal investigation report provided by Circle C Ranch. Aarum has repeatedly denied any allegations of inappropriate conduct. 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. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Now God would go to work and make this camp a reality. It all started in the heart of an evangelist named Wes Aarum. Email:[emailprotected] If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. These persons said they'dwitnessedAarumsactions, or heard aboutthemfrom staff or loved ones. Reach him at mkilian@gannett.com. My byline has run in the Ithaca Journal, USA Today, the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle and the New York Times. 7 Eyewitness News has also heard from more than a dozen people who have reached out to defend Aarum. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Editor's note: There are descriptions of alleged sexual abuse and opinions about survivors of alleged abuse that may be triggering to abuse survivors. I have zero recollection of that. 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. Judge Rules That Michigan Public University Violated the Rights of Christian Student Group, Citygate Network Seeks Greater Diversity in National Rescue Mission Leadership. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Powered by Kenny & Elle Campbell and friends of victims of abuse. Pastor accused of touching girls sues Amherst church over allegations. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The camp was founded by Wayne Aarums father Wes Aarum Sr., and both Wayne and his brother, Wes Aarum Jr., serve on the board. It is important for you to know that both The Chapel leadership and MinistrySafe have found the allegations to be credible, and we continue to stand with those who have courageously come forward, Chapel leadership said Friday in a statement posted to the churchs website. Both of the local jurisdictions that were contacted in this investigation had determined that, given the passage of time (in some cases) or the nature of non-criminal allegations (in others), the allegations are not believed to be subject to criminal prosecution, they stated on The Chapel website. 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.. And at its best, local journalism reveals truths that leaders and institutions of importance would much prefer remain hidden. 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. She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial, according to the court filing. 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. Does public speaking or speaking in a group make you nervous? ", "I'm not sure who's saying it and what they're referring to," he said. Neither I nor MinistrySafe (or any representative of the law firm) have ever offered information for payment to Circle C or Living Waters Ministries. Follow heronTwitter @Sjtaddeo. 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. Kens wife Joann was an R.N and she worked in a local hospital to help support them while the camp was being built. Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer, and Jerry Gillis, lead pastor at The Chapel, discuss the allegations against Wayne Aarum. Aarum has denied any wrongdoing, and he told his congregation in April that he never intended to offend anyone with his remarks or actions. Finally, the notion that the allegations were planted or suggested by counselors or social workers is patently absurd.". He continues as First Baptist Church of Arcade pastor and Circle C Ranch director. The investigation yielded an extraordinary amount of corroborating evidence from third party sources, most of whom were former staff members. 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 After meeting Wes and both of them realizing that someday they would be a team she went to Bible School to be better prepared to be the wife of a preacher. 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. 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. There was documentation of people going to Wayne and saying, Hey listen, like, we love you, but you need to be careful of this.' I am who I am. This Summer we are looking to hire Staff to help facilitate our Summer Camp, Day Camp, and Family Camp programs! It was 50 miles south of Buffalo, NY on a 315 acre piece of land that had been a farm. Now there was a need for the total of $40,000 to get things moving. 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. He was an authority figure and an adult; they were teenagers. Marges love for the Lord led her, along with her other jobs, to be the teacher of a womens weekly Bible study. 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. To honor, Glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. In October 2020, they hired MinistrySafe founder Kimberlee Norris, who completed her investigation in December 2020. Wondering what your camper will need? 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! 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 letter says 27 individuals offered corroborating evidence for the 21 victims, including former Circle C employees, church leaders, and volunteers who witnessed inappropriate behaviors. Bob asked how much interest? 10451 Ashcraft Rd Delevan, NY 14042 One of America's most exciting Christian Camps. 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. Norris runs MinistrySafe, which provides training and screening to prevent child sex abuse in churches, camps, youth sports and other settings. When told it was for a youth camp, Bob wrote out a check for the amount needed. Youth pastor, Christian camp director accused of inappropriately touching teen girls. The accounts of the women, describing incidents involving Wayne Aarum that took place when they were Circle C Ranch campers, are troubling and concerning. 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. Victims come forward in Circle C sexual-misconduct case. My evaluation of credibility is based upon 30 years of past experience interacting with fact witnesses and abuse survivors. 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. Aarum, 55,remains in his position as director of Circle C Ranch. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. A friend of Ross & Wes was a man named Bob Lowe who was a very successful businessman. And of course if you have any questions please email us or call the office at info@circlecranch.org or (716) 492-3687. Multiple women told the 7 Eyewitness News I-Team that Aarum would sometimes touch intimate areas and would grab their bra straps. I dont want anyone else to have to go through what I went through. 1.) 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