It would have all the mystique of the Old West and it would look like a town in the 1800s. Circle C stands for "Christ Centered" which is the p 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. Two other days, July 3 and 31, are designated as "Family Fun Days," according to the website. Website Terms & Conditions | CCHOA Privacy Policy| Social Media Policy | Feedback, Copyright 2015 2022 Circle C Ranch HOA | Design by Austin Web Design.com, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_C_Ranch. 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. None agreed to interviews on the recordfor this story, and they didnot provide additional sources who would be willing to comment on the record.". Footer 2018 Community Report Contact Info Circle C also takes aim at Ministry Safes Kimberlee Norris and her work claiming the accusers were led down a garden path.. Mr. Petereson was willing to sell the land for the price of the mortgage $14,800. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. The details, the word choices and the extra effort to confirm facts and reach difficult-to-reach people all matter greatly. 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. 2023 www.democratandchronicle.com. Main Office: 518-696-5676 Development Office: 518-696-5921. It makes a difference to people of all backgrounds and life experiences. In his lawsuit, Aarum accuses The Chapels Executive Pastor John A. Camardo and members of his staff of orchestrating the campaign to damage his reputation because he refuses to support the sale of some of the 315 acres of land connected with his camp to developers seeking to build a $500 million windmill project. Homeowners are encourage to host their individual garage sales on 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 under the Home button. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Aarum filed a lawsuit against The Chapel on June 2, 2021, accusing the churchs executive pastor, John Camardo, of defamation, saying statements related to the allegations against him were used to damage his reputation and his ability to do business, according to Aarums filing. 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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. Percy, as he wanted to be called, was considered by many as the founder of the Christian Camping Ministry. The one thing they do not have is a childrens ministry like that, said Dekalb. Anne Stych is a writer in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. 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. Please click here to learn how. information shared on its website on Monday. Circle C Ranch's board of trustees said they did their own investigation. Woman says she reported possible abuse at Circle C Ranch to police years ago. 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. Such stories cannot be rushed. Water exercise is for everyone! Now God would go to work and make this camp a reality. . Ministry Watch 2022 All rights reserved. "Double H Ranch changed my life in more ways than one. Time and again, even as the local news industry has been buffeted for a quarter-century by change, reporting by trained professionals continues tobe a catalyst for positive change in our communities. Those allegations outlined in a report from The Chapel and Ministry Safes Kimberlee Norris say the abuse happened during the 90s, during a time Aarum was involved with The Chapel and when the Chapel says it had partnered with Circle C Ranch. To reach young people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that they may know that they are born again. 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. 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. Aarum, 55,remains in his position as director of Circle C Ranch. "Due to Covid Restrictions we have decided to pour all of our resources into our family camp weekends," the website reads. . That man was Mr. Ross Barker a businessman from Toronto. To honor, Glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. The church continued to contribute financially to the camp each year and recommended it to families. 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.. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Together they worked to increase contributions from the members of the church and expand the churchs membership with three satellite locations. Your support allows us to continue to produce quality journalism, week in and week out. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. We have reporters standing by. Year Lots in the Association Lots paying full assessment . 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.. Read their stories. Follow heronTwitter @Sjtaddeo. Families can register online to attend camp overnightwith their children at Circle C Ranch on either July 9-11 or August 6-8. Bob asked when he would pay it back? The Circle C Child Development Center is a private, not-for-profit company with a volunteer board of directors. Wes said he didnt know. It's vital people describing trauma or harm be listened to with sensitivity and patience; coming forward is often an act of courage. A MinistrySafe investigation cited by WKBW alleged that Aarums inappropriate touching of the girls included: "stroking legs (outside clothing and on bare skin); stroking genital area outside clothing; touching vaginal area outside clothing (in shorts or jeans); touching, rubbing and stroking breasts, outside clothing; stroking labia, outside clothing; stroking from hips to breasts, clothed, on the side of the body; touching legs and knees; hand placed on upper thigh; pressing penis into back of girl (hugging from behind); rubbing penis repeatedly in a girls presence and the extended hug of a partially dressed girl.". 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. I found each of the women to be credible; patterns of predatory behavior emerged and grew more egregious as time passed. It was 50 miles south of Buffalo, NY on a 315 acre piece of land that had been a farm. 2023 www.democratandchronicle.com. Little did he realize that 23 years later God would let him have the desire of his heart. %PDF-1.6 % Bill wanted to make sure that every building was winterized so the camp could operate year round. 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. You learn and grow so much by working and camping there. Please consider becoming a digital subscriber. To make a donation,click here. It is independent of the Circle C Ranch Homeowners Association. He never asked for a representative on the board of directors of the Living Waters Ministries Inc. 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. Aarum also said in a video posted to the Circle C Ranch website this summer that he never received complaints at the time the alleged abuse occurred about his behavior in either positions he's held at The Chapel or at Circle C Ranch. 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. For his part, Aarum denies the claimsand defends his conduct, saying in an email, "I have never touched anyone with any inappropriate motive.". All fourdid not respond. 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. Wes had been a youth pastor, pastor, evangelist, leader in Youth for Christ and director of a Bible Conference. 10614 Redmond Rd SOLD in 7 days! The Circle C Homeowners Association is a non-profit corporation governed by a seven member Board of Directors. 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. The Circle C Homeowners Association is a non-profit corporation governed by a seven member Board of Directors. 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. hbbd```b``"Idjd2d f;0>[Ha`bd` Ig[ '3 She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages to be determined at trial, according to the court filing. They have been a team that Gdo brought together. 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. The work poses many challenges. Because of its unique history as part of the Circle C Ranch neighborhood, The Child . Prior to becoming director of Circle C Ranch, Aarum worked as a youth pastor atBuffalo-area megachurch The Chapel in the 1990s. 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. At this age, he began to take care of his health. Although he considered this womans accusation to be criminal in nature, Mr. Camardo did not make a report to any law enforcement authority or encourage the woman to do so. Aarum has denied the allegations and continues to serve on staff at the camp. Marges love for the Lord led her, along with her other jobs, to be the teacher of a womens weekly Bible study. Theyspoke to 19 other individuals including persons who worked at the camp, relatives and local pastors. This testy relationship allegedly led one of Camardos staffers to recommend that he take up the cause of a woman who claimed Wayne Aarum had sexually harassed her while she was employed as a counselor at the Circle C Ranch camp in 2006, 13 years earlier.. More:Christian camp Circle C announces changes to summer program after abuse allegations surface. 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. Kens wife Joann was an R.N and she worked in a local hospital to help support them while the camp was being built. . Wes said none its for the Lord. A social worker can get anyone to say anything, Dekalb said. If you would like a hard copy, please contact the HOA office at 512-288-8663. A few months later Wes realized he needed $10,000 more. The 315 acres of land owned by Plaintiff Living Waters Ministries Inc. lies astride the most direct route for the windmill projects essential transmission line. 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. Pine brook was a great soul-winning camp and that summer hundreds of teens accepted Christ. 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. Shortly after her graduation they were married. Aarum has repeatedly denied any allegations of inappropriate conduct. This includes our remarkable Board of Directors and alumni. Judge Rules That Michigan Public University Violated the Rights of Christian Student Group, Citygate Network Seeks Greater Diversity in National Rescue Mission Leadership. by Webmaster | Oct 20, 2014 | Board of Directors Meeting. Specifically, in a portion of the story about Circle C's legal counsel having recommended at a meeting that Aarum resign, they took these steps: "The USA TODAY NETWORKreached out to Wayne Aarum, his son Josh Aarum, andboard members Daryl Dekalb and Wes Aarum Jr.for comment specifictothis matter. Aarum and the Circle C board members did not respond when asked how thisinvestigation was conducted and who conducted it. Dr. Andrews never sought to influence the operations of the camp. https://terrace-healthcare.com/news/generic-cialis.html. While holding a crusade in Erie, PA Wes met a man named George Mckinley who asked him who was doing the plumbing for the camp? Dear Chapel family, 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. In an exclusive interview with 7 Eyewitness News last month, Aarum and board member Daryl Dekalb made that same suggestion while strongly denying the allegations against him. Sarah Taddeo is an enterprisereporter for USA Today Network's New York State Team. 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. There was over 100 acres of good haying land on this property so they had plenty of feed for the horses. Instead, he used the allegation to begin a campaign to remove Wayne Aarum from his leadership at the Circle C Ranch, because he opposed the sale of camp land to a large wind project developer from Chicago. 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. Toll free: (866) 364-9980, Kanakuk Petition Reaches 15,000 Signatures, Southern Baptist Conventions Lawyers to Cut Ties after Vote to Waive Privilege, Christian and Missionary Alliance to Leave Colorado Springs for Ohio, Arkansas Judge Dismisses Duggar Sisters Lawsuit, Christian Filmmaker Arrested Following Investigation of Child Sex Predators. Nothing happened. 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 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. To email a Board member directly, click their email address below. He met Margaret Stevenson who had been born on a farm in Pennsylvania (which would prepare her for life at the Ranch). Living Waters Ministries says it takes allegations serious, and thats why the ranch says it conducted a thorough investigation of these circumstances assisted by professional experts.. 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. At least 21 women have come forward to lawyers hired by The Chapel at Crosspoint where Aarum once served as a pastor to accuse him of inappropriate conduct decades ago when they were teens. You can also join. 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. Therefore, we have chosen to follow the instructions given by the Apostle Paul in Romans 13 to use the God-appointed government institutions and have officially lodged a legal complaint against The Chapel, the camp continued. 1154 0 obj <> endobj When told it was for a youth camp, Bob wrote out a check for the amount needed. The Circle C HOA Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, January 27, at 6:30pm via ZOOM. 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. It matters in small towns. circlecranch.com under the "Resource" tab. 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 It all started in the heart of an evangelist named Wes Aarum. ", "The USA TODAY NETWORK asked for comment from five individuals whosupport the Ranch and the Aarums. 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. It was 50 miles south of Buffalo, NY on a 315 acre piece of land that had been a farm. CirCleC ranCh Krysten MeijaJaymes Willoughby 6013 York Bridge Circle SOLD in 7 days! 1.) Hope youll give us another try and check out some other articles. Minutes are generally posted a month following the meeting once they have been accepted. 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. 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. 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. 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. That was of the Lord. I don't know, but one thing I am sure of is that Taddeo and Silvarole will be ready to write about it. But Wesley Aarum Sr. did not respect or trust Mr. Gillis and his financial ambitions, the lawsuit adds. As a result of her abuse, Snell experienced mental and psychological effects, including fear and anxiety that have required professional treatment, the lawsuit alleges. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. 0 Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Got a story tip or comment? 1.) 2023 Board of Directors Goals As Ross Barker said, without Marge we would have never made it. How true! Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. The 2022-2023 CDC Board of Directors are: Warren Faulkner, President Melinda McKenna, Board Member David Wagner, Board Member Aaron Sotak, Board Member Randy Glenn, Board Member Sign-up for our newsletter! , NY 12846. We have repeatedly requested to know who the anonymous accusations are coming from and again, with the exception of one instance, they have refused. 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.. The Circle C board claims The Chapel at Crosspoint wants to take over the ranch and says it is spreading falsehoods about Aarum so members of The Chapel can take over the Circle C board., In documents on Circle Cs website, the board writes the campaign against Aarum was designed for the purpose of acquiring the camps property and business.. Investigation: 16 women say this pastor and camp president abused them. When requesting that we follow the guidelines for settling disputes as outlined by Jesus in Matthew 18, we were told that Matthew 18 doesnt apply. Wayne Aarum, pastor accused of abusing teens, sues Buffalo megachurch The Chapel for $2.5M. 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. Yet the information reporters learn has to be vetted as well as it can be, too. This helps build confidence among readers inthe validity of the work. "Circle C Ranch would ultimately determine the initial allegations were false through its own internal investigation. 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. 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. At 18 years of age he was the lifeguard at Pine brook, a very unique teen camp in Pennsylvania whose founder was Percy Crawford. 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. He later died in March 2020. 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. Member will be given 3 minutes to address the board. The Aarum family has owned Circle C Ranch in Delevan for 54 years. 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. 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. The Chapel recommended the camp to members of its congregation and contributed funds to help expand the camps facilities and enable the camp to operate on a basis that was affordable to campers from Christian church youth groups and families at all income levels," the suit continues.
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