He was silenced to his grave. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? Kanakuk is an immense operation. Our Kanakuk Child Protection Plan, which contains over 340 identifiable and measurable protective elements, is integrated throughout our organization and has been shared with more than 600 youth-serving organizations across the country. Newman eventuallyadmittedto fondling campers, having them manually stimulate him, and other behavior related to nudity and hot tub jetting.. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com. Another was a dad of young boys who was abused as a kamper while a young teen. A Texas victims father said Kanakuk told him a lawyer representing another victim arrived at the camp and caused Newman to confess. The boy claimed that during that retreat, Newman attempted to shower and sleep naked in the hotel bed with him, but the boy successfully resisted. Newman confessed after a Texas Kanakuk father confronted Newman and threatened to call the FBI. This article was originally published at Ministry Watch. As soon as Kanakuk became aware of abuse, we took action, including immediate termination, and subsequently reported him to authorities. For this reason, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation has named Kanakuk Kamps to the 2022 Dirty Dozen List. A camper immediately reported the suspicious actions of the staff member in accordance with our Child Protection Plan camper training. Pete Newman was protected and promoted despite clear reports of sexually abusive behavior, making it extremely unlikely that he was acting alone.. Another camper, who went to China on a Kanakuk-related mission trip, told me via text and phone interview that Newman took a disturbing video of boys on a mission trip in China. The retreat required travel beginning February 20, 2009. It was the summer of 2002 and he was excitedthe Christian sports camp advertised the "best summer ever . Kanakuk is a great place, a special place. Like a robber just came in and took everything in the vault, Should I go to the prison and tell him he ruined my life, And that what he did to me will make it hard to find a wife, My Son Was Abused in 1994 and Joe White Knew, It seems a little late in 2003 to be training counselors when they already had problems with counselors before 2003, Joe White referred to my son as a drop of water. What Happens Now? Kanakuk supports any organization that advocates for victims of sexual abuse; however, the decision of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) to include Kanakuk in a list of Dirty Dozen without the benefit of verifying the information, including direct communication with Kanakuk, defies logic and is egregious. We believe that victims of abuse should be free to share their stories in support of their healing. She previously wrote for the Nevada Current, where she reported on labor violations in casinos, hurdles facing applicants for unemployment benefits and lax oversight of the funeral industry. We also realize that we have added confusion and frustration when we have spoken on this topic. The prosecutor who oversaw the case of Peter Newman said the number of victims could be in the hundreds. Lee Bradbury pleaded guilty in 2013 to four sex related charges involving campers at Kanakuk. A Kanakuk employee told me an attorney recorded a phone call with Pete during which the counselor made incriminating statements. Our hearts grieve for all victims and their families (some of whom are current or former employees) and the pain they have endured. In both instances, Kanakuk fully supported the law enforcement investigation and prosecution of the abuser. Telephone messages left for Taney County Detective Ronnie Roberts about what material, if any, was found on those devices went unreturned. Pete Newman, who had been a Kanakuk Kamps director, was convicted in 2010 on seven counts of sexually abusing young boys and is now serving two consecutive life sentences plus 30 years. Claiming things like Kanakuk continues to fail on basic safety practices and protocols and stating that Kanakuk ..ignores other known perpetrators and their enablers, including those in leadership at Kanakuk to this day. They distort the truth, promote false narratives, and harass individuals who oppose them. Branson-based Kanakuk Kamps and its associated ministries are a multi-million-dollar global enterprise that includes the largest evangelical sports camp in the world. A now-27-year-old man who was sexually abused as a child at Kanakuk Kamps in Branson is suing the Christian summer camp, claiming Kanakuk leadership lied to him and his parents about their. However, we couldnt report with precision why Newman finally confessed to abusing children and said so in that original story. Yandell's attorneys say the family became aware in December 2021 thanks to reporting published in conservative online news outlet The Dispatch that Newman's direct supervisor, Will Cunningham, had recommended Newman be fired in 2003 based on multiple reports of child sexual abuse, but White overruled the recommendation and later promoted Newman to camp director. Following the events of 2009, we created the Kanakuk Child Protection Plan (CPP). The true fact is that this group is not interested in anything more than furthering their agenda. (KY3) - More legal trouble for a popular kids camp in Taney County. Every childs safety is our No. The FBI should be all over this like a glove., In an email, attorney and author Rachael Denhollandertheformer gymnast who blew the whistle on Larry Nassarand has since become a leading voice on the topic of sexual abusewrote, The level of abuse and cover-up that has taken place at Kanakuk is extreme and follows well-established patterns of organized trafficking and production of child sexually abusive material (child porn). She also wrote, A detailed investigation not just of the abuse, but of the cover-up, needs to be undertaken immediately. Corbie Dale Grimes, who worked at Kanakuk in the 1970s and '80s, is serving a life sentence for abusing a boy in Texas in 1999. I dont think that person called the cops. The three articles published last week identify other questionable and red-flag behaviors that the articles say Kanakuk leaders tolerated both before and after the sex abuse claims against Newman and others became public. The fact is that neither Joe nor Petes immediate supervisors would have ever allowed him to remain on staff if they suspected him of abusing kids. It was the worst 24 hours of my life. Or is your son over there or is he supposed to be? This maternal concern is what she believed forced Petes confession, but she wasnt sure. More to the point is the echoing in church organisations of worldly power structures. I believe in summer camps, he told me in a phone interview. Remember USA Gymnastics. Branson-based Kanakuk Kamps and its associated ministries area multi-million-dollar global enterprise that includes the largest evangelical sports camp in the world. He pulled his camera out when that moment happened and was video taping. , Missouri is currently one of 21 states with the age cap set at 34 years old or younger which Child USA ranks as the worst states in terms of statutes of limitations for child sex abuse survivors. Our hope and prayers are for the restoration and healing of victims and their families, and we will continue to seek direct dialogue in pursuit of this. For years, a former staffer at Kanakuk Kamps, one of the country's most popular Christian summer camps, abused dozens of boys. However, survivor advocates say that many of the camps leaders, including Joe White, Kanakuks CEO and board chair, have never been held fully responsible for their leadership failures. She said a counselor named Chuck Price abused her, but it took decades for her to come forward. While we could never keep up with all of our alumni family, we know the vast majority of them have left Kanakuk and gone on to raise amazing families and serve their communities through careers in full-time ministry, law, medicine, science, civil service, teaching, military service, and professional sports. Former camper suing Missouri-based Kanakuk claiming 'fraudulent' abuse settlement Jody Jones, who flew from Utah to testify, was a camper at Kanakuk in 1985, when she was 8. I was in advanced discussions with them. Based on civil suitsKanakuk President and COO Doug Goodwincouldnt even guesshow many had been filedwe knew there were more victims. We believe that abuse of a child is deplorable and stands counter to our mission and Christian calling. We support this right and will not stand in the way of any who wishes to do so. Weve seen over 500,000 campers and more than 50,000 summer staff come through these gates, and our goal is to provide a healthy, positive, and welcoming summer home to generations of families. He was a master of deception fooling not only Kanakuk but also his friends, neighbors, and even his own family. Since 1926, Kanakuk has hosted more than 500,000 campers and 50,000 staffers in Missouri and its many international locations. Hi. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Christian Rocker Posts Stunning Response to Recent Apostasy of Christian Leaders, Chicago Radio Host & a Former Bodyguard Say James MacDonald Asked Them to Arrange Murders, James MacDonald Took Millions from Harvest & Now Demands Broadcast Ministry, Mancow Airs Shocking Comments By James MacDonald: My Response. The investigation continues. No More Victims LLC, the group behind the Facts About Kanakuk website, said in a statement it has received reports of eight Kanakuk victims whose deaths are suspected to be related to their abuse., The News-Leader reported, One Newman victim, Trey Carlock, died by suicide in 2019 shortly after settling his case with Kanakuk. How many victims have to die before the camp is held accountable? Kanakuk has been serving kids and families for more than 96 years. This site operates behind anonymity, and freely spreads defamatory statements and information taken out of context, while attacking anyone who supports Kanakuk. He has also provided an open letter to victims who do not prefer to meet face-to-face. Further, we will not be surprised and are also fully prepared if future publicity stunts by these groups should include protests, lawsuits, podcasts or other efforts to gain media attention or disrupt our ministry operations. Sadly, their tactics are in opposition to true healing; instead they appear intent on stirring old painful emotions and attempting to convince survivors that they have been deceived by Kanakuk. Please be aware that this website may contain information and images that some may find disturbing. Kanakuk also fully supported the law enforcement investigation and prosecution of the abuser Pete Newman. The investigation by law enforcement that resulted in the prosecution of Pete Newman did not result in any criminal or civil charges against Kanakuk leadership or staff. This camp helped grown their relationship with the Lord & supported their faith walk. In 2009, Newmans Kanakuk story came to an end, we wrote. In 2011, the CPP plan enabled Kanakuk to swiftly identify a second abuser, terminate his employment, report him, and coordinate with law enforcement. For this reason, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation has named Kanakuk Kamps to the 2022 Dirty Dozen List. We absolutely want to clarify this. We support the right of victims to share their story in pursuit of healing. Newman. Despite the survivors who have come forward, at least a dozen lawsuits, and the news investigations that have uncovered practices at the camp that enabled the reported abuse to fester, Kanakuk has continued to minimize the reality that they have allowed abuse to flourish. 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