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. 0 Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. That man was Mr. Ross Barker a businessman from Toronto. When told it was for a youth camp, Bob wrote out a check for the amount needed. 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. Through all this, Aarum remains as the Circle C camp president today. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. 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 Because of its unique history as part of the Circle C Ranch neighborhood, The Child . Name* Email* CAPTCHA Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Without a transmission line to transport the electricity generated by the windmills in an economically feasible fashion, the windmill projects economic value diminishes substantially, the lawsuit said. 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Miracle after Miracle, God has provided for Circle C Ranch and as long as God continues to provide, we will continue to serve Him! 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. 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. Group led Water Aerobics starts on Tuesday May 2nd! Throughout this entire time we have done our best in trying to resolve the issues they have put forth. It matters in cities. 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. 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. Missed chances:Woman says she reported possible abuse at Circle C Ranch to police years ago. We have repeatedly requested to know who the anonymous accusations are coming from and again, with the exception of one instance, they have refused. Circle C also takes aim at Ministry Safes Kimberlee Norris and her work claiming the accusers were led down a garden path.. Links to the ZOOM meetings and meeting agendas may be found on the website at www. A friend of Ross & Wes was a man named Bob Lowe who was a very successful businessman. 2023 www.democratandchronicle.com. More:Christian camp Circle C announces changes to summer program after abuse allegations surface. To honor, Glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ. "So much so, we are changing our traditional schedule to give your family the chance to experience everything we are offering this year.". Theyspoke to 19 other individuals including persons who worked at the camp, relatives and local pastors. 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. Website Terms & Conditions | CCHOA Privacy Policy| Social Media Policy | Feedback, Copyright 2015 2022 Circle C Ranch HOA | Design by Austin Web Design.com, The Board of Directors meeting date and time is on the last Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm. 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. 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. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Two other days, July 3 and 31, are designated as "Family Fun Days," according to the website. 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? hbbd```b``"Idjd2d f;0>[Ha`bd` Ig[ '3 by Webmaster | Oct 20, 2014 | Board of Directors Meeting. 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. Access to MinistryWatch content is free. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. But Wesley Aarum Sr. did not respect or trust Mr. Gillis and his financial ambitions, the lawsuit adds. Yet the information reporters learn has to be vetted as well as it can be, too. 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 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. Aarum left his role at The Chapel in 2000. Getzville in New York, from 1991 to 2000 before becoming director of Circle C Ranch. Footer 2018 Community Report Contact Info Follow heronTwitter @Sjtaddeo. 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.. Its a thrill to see what God has done over the years. The details, the word choices and the extra effort to confirm facts and reach difficult-to-reach people all matter greatly. The Aarum family has owned Circle C Ranch in Delevan for 54 years. 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 has consistently denied all of the allegations against him. 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. 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. Year Lots in the Association Lots paying full assessment . Homeowners may also sign up to speak during the Homeowners Forum by calling the HOA manager at 512-288-8663 or sending an email to info@circlecranch.info at least a week before the meeting, in writing. All rights reserved. In school, our teachers told us to "show our math," or how we worked out a problem. To reach the Ranch Association Executive Director Michele Brethower, click here. There was over 100 acres of good haying land on this property so they had plenty of feed for the horses. Call Jaymes today for a Free Market Analysis! That can be the case in the busiest of news years (ahem, 2020) or on the slowest of news days. 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. 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. Wes had been a youth pastor, pastor, evangelist, leader in Youth for Christ and director of a Bible Conference. "The camp programs, which ran primarily in the summer, complemented [T]he Chapels youth programs, which ran primarily during the school year. ", "The USA TODAY NETWORK asked for comment from five individuals whosupport the Ranch and the Aarums. To make a donation,click here. Teenagers have also historically made up the majority of employees at the camp, working as counselors, in the kitchen or in maintenance roles throughout the summers. 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 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. Aarum and the Living Waters Ministries Inc., according to the lawsuit, had maintained a peaceful, cooperative, and mutually supportive relationship with The Chapel for more than 30 years due to the founding of the two organizations by two close friends, James Andrews at The Chapel in 1961 and Wesley Aarum Sr. at the Circle C Ranch in 1968. In investigative journalism, it's vital reporters show their efforts to confirm facts and to reach people. A religious liberty newsletter that is a must-read for people of faith. Got a story tip or comment? 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. To reach young people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that they may know that they are born again. The CCHOA will host Circle C's Semi-Annual Garage Sale on Saturday, April 29th. The work poses many challenges. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. It's vital people describing trauma or harm be listened to with sensitivity and patience; coming forward is often an act of courage. (Both boys are college graduates and are now full time in the ministry working with college as well as public and high school students.) 1179 0 obj <>stream Your support allows us to continue to produce quality journalism, week in and week out. 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. He was an authority figure and an adult; they were teenagers. 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.. If you're on the Circle C website, the camp has seven new documents that outline why they say Aarum is innocent. 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. A social worker can get anyone to say anything, Dekalb said. 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. These persons said they'dwitnessedAarumsactions, or heard aboutthemfrom staff or loved ones.