A few months later Wes realized he needed $10,000 more. 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. Prior to becoming director of Circle C Ranch, Aarum worked as a youth pastor atBuffalo-area megachurch The Chapel in the 1990s. I think some of it, as an adult looking back, it crossed a line, she said. Besides doing the cooking, she became the office manager, the accountant, head of the medical dept, and a mother to their 2 sons, Wes & Wayne. Leaders at The Chapel said they, through MinistrySafe, also reported the allegations to law enforcement. Access to MinistryWatch content is free. 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. Circle C stands for "Christ Centered" which is the purpose and continues to be the. The allegations also were referred to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating, according to Sgt. I have zero recollection of that. Aarum has denied any wrongdoing, and he told his congregation in April that he never intended to offend anyone with his remarks or actions. 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. Officials at the Chapel said they were first made aware in 2019 of allegations about Aarum's inappropriate behavior at the camp and took that information to the Circle C Ranch board, according . It finally became a reality when in 1968 he found the property where God wanted him to start that camp. Some of the allegations date back to the 1990s, when Aarum ran a ministry program for high school students at The Chapel. 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. 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. Kens wife Joann was an R.N and she worked in a local hospital to help support them while the camp was being built. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. None agreed to interviews on the recordfor this story, and they didnot provide additional sources who would be willing to comment on the record.". But now that she is an adult, she said she would describe the interactions with girls as intimate and a form of grooming.. 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. information shared on its website on Monday. The Chapel has thousands of members on its rolls and helped launched several other congregations in Western New York. I have never touched anyone with any inappropriate motive," Aarum said in an email to USA TODAY Network reporters on April 28, 2021. 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. Chelsea Carnahan told The News that Aarum stroked her back, hair and legs during one-on-one counseling sessions when she was a Pioneer High School student from 2006 to 2010. There is absolutely no credibility to any of these things, Dekalb said. But Dekalb defended Aarum as a "true Christian" and said he had done nothing wrong. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. I have been a staff reporter at The Buffalo News since 2002 and currently am part of the watchdog team. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. I dont want any more children to be affected. 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. A number of women former high school youth group members under Aarums leadership brought allegations of sexual and emotional abuse against Aarum from that time period earlier this year. It makes a difference to people of all backgrounds and life experiences. Mr. Petereson was willing to sell the land for the price of the mortgage - $14,800. The Chapel in Amherst said it cut ties with the Circle C Ranch following an internal investigation by a Texas lawyer that found Wayne Aarum hadengaged in a pattern of inappropriate behaviors, such as stroking the legs and touching the clothed breasts and genital areas of young women and teenage girls. Clergy are mandated. Camps are also required to collect information about the vaccination status of each camper and staff member, and perform health screenings upon arrival. Carolyn McDonald, a former Circle C Ranch staffer, and Jerry Gillis, lead pastor at The Chapel, discuss the allegations against Wayne Aarum. 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. Prior to 2020, when COVID-19 preventedthe camp from operating in the summer, Circle C Ranch would host grade and high school-agedchildren without their parents, according to former camp staff. Now God would go to work and make this camp a reality. Sarah Taddeo is an enterprisereporter for USA Today Network's New York State Team. Theyspoke to 19 other individuals including persons who worked at the camp, relatives and local pastors. Its common for women as they get along in lifeto see how their lives are not going well and when they sit down, like with a social workerand they start hearing stuff from a social worker that says to them, Well, have you ever had something in your life where maybe this is set off, the condition that youre in now?. 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. 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. 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. That can be the case in the busiest of news years (ahem, 2020) or on the slowest of news days. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. If you are interested in helping out please fill out the application below! DeKalb suggested that the allegations were part of a campaign by Chapel leaders to acquire the youth camp. 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. Email us at: info@circlecranch.org. Snells lawsuit alleges that Circle C Ranch failed to investigate claims against Aarum in a timely fashion and report findings about his conduct, and failed to terminate him in light of his inappropriate and predatory actions and behaviors with minors, according to the paperwork. Daryl Dekalb, a Circle C Ranch Board Member, appeared to place blame on the women who have come forward, even though leaders at The Chapel have described them as credible and courageous. 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. But she said that it is important that parents be aware of the allegations when making decisions about their kids. To make a donation,click here. 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. The details, the word choices and the extra effort to confirm facts and reach difficult-to-reach people all matter greatly. At this age, he began to take care of his health. In addition, a contemporaneous writing provided evidence that the behaviors were previously reported to camp leadership. I have never had any sexual interaction with anyone other than my wife. 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. 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. Read their stories. A USA TODAY Network Investigation found thatAarum, 55,touchedat least 16teenage girls inappropriately, according to their firsthand accounts. 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. Drew Silleman. I can honestly say no., Aarum added, Did someone contact them before MinistrySafe did? My byline has run in the Ithaca Journal, USA Today, the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle and the New York Times. 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. 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. After hearing a report of abuse by a former staffer at the Circle C Ranch, The Chapel hired Ministry Safe to conduct an investigation. 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.. 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. 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.. Wayne S. Aarum claimed in a defamation lawsuit that The Chapel and its executive pastor, John Camardo, engaged in a sustained campaign of . Former Chapel minister, Circle C youth camp director denies sexual misconduct 3,079 views Mar 26, 2021 A Christian minister with ties to a Getzville megachurch and a popular Cattaraugus. "Circle C Ranch is aware of allegations raised against our President. 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. Waynes brother, Wes, was highly regarded as a minister at the Chapel for many years, as well. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? 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. 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. He also currently serves as pastor of theFirst Baptist Church of Arcade, New York. Thursday, April 8, 2021. 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. He met Margaret Stevenson who had been born on a farm in Pennsylvania (which would prepare her for life at the Ranch). 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. That's a Christian camp for young people nearDelevan, New York, a village southeast of Buffalo and southwest of Rochester. 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. At 18 years of age he was the lifeguard at Pine brook, a very unique teen camp in Pennsylvania whose founder was Percy Crawford. 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. He wanted to give his last years to the Lord and became the head man of the construction of the town. In one letter, the board accused the Chapels executive pastor, John Camardo, of defamation. That always raises the risk that someone will find the teacher to be too close for comfort. 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, as well as be added to our email list. This helps build confidence among readers inthe validity of the work. But 7 Eyewitness News spoke with a former employee at the youth camp who said she has spoken with one of the alleged survivors. 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. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. The suit is seeking more than $2.5 million in damages for "harm to reputation, mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, and emotional injury," as well as an additional $625,000 in financial damages, according to court filings. It was 50 miles south of Buffalo, NY on a 315 acre piece of land that had been a farm. They have been a team that Gdo brought together. Wayne Aarum, pastor accused of abusing teens, sues Buffalo megachurch The Chapel for $2.5M. 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. 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