They're not getting the help and support they need. Kanakuk will forever grieve the victims of Pete Newman and their suffering and continue to pray for their healing and restoration. Supervisors told her they would alert her parents to the incident. And she looked at me (at the birthday dinner). One night, Kanakuk Kamps counselorspacked every single camper, like 300 kids in a mosh pit type of thing, said Caroline, who was 13. The shame I experienced as a victim is something that I do not wish to bear on anyone. She didnt think much of it at first. Youre either one of them or youre not, and its such an economic driver.". And he spoke two nights, and I was his minor, little-kid helper. The contract also called on Newman to stop spending a lopsided, inordinate amount of time with kids.. Every time we talk, she cries about it. Were going to help him through his problems.. Moreover, the limited scope of the guilty plea concealed the sheer scale of the abuse. Caroline refused. Christian summer camp in Branson, Missouri, camp leaders have repeatedly disregardedred flags, Survivors, ex-employees say unreported abuse at Kanakuk camps in Branson spans decades, Kanakuk's statement provided in response to the News-Leader's questions, Kanakuk camper says she was told to apologize, denied call home after reporting abuse, Former Kanakuk counselor Peter Newman named in new sex-abuse lawsuit, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. More than 20,000 Cunningham, who was Newmans supervisor at the Branson camp, confirmed the practice was in place in the 1980s through at least the early 2000s.. Something about a bubble party? she said her parents asked her. Home; Features; Services; About; Contact; Login; Get Free Demo; pete newman kanakuk wife He knew I knew. OK, I'll pray for you. Court filings in multiple lawsuits have alleged that Newmans nudity was reported to camp leaders repeatedly. And it no longer felt likecounseling.". It only stopped, Hoffpauir said, when he and Madison began seriously dating. I was self-conscious about my body and wouldve done anything not to get naked in front of anybody. In Junior High, I started doing things with my friends like streaking and skinny dipping. They ziplined naked.It was just a guy thing at Kanakuk to be naked all the time.It was just part of the culture. The fact that Newman regularly hosted boys in his hot tub was no secret, although his supervisors at the camp maintain they didnt know of the nudity or abuse. asserted the Newman scandalwas more widespread and systemic, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The next morning, Caroline said, three other girls tearfully told her theyd been assaulted by the same camper. We want to insure [sic]that Pete be involved in a lifetime of ministry.. shaka wear graphic tees is candy digital publicly traded ellen lawson wife of ted lawson pete newman kanakuk wife. "Bonding" was just one of the justifications Dygert and Hoffpauir say that Newman offered for his abuse. Webhow to get to quezon avenue mrt station Uncovering hot babes since 1919. Dygert said that night, Newman eventually "wanted to tie a string on each other's penises. He was a camp director at Kanakuk Kamps, one of the largest Christian ", In a statement on the camp's website, Kanakuk noted that "no charges for failure to report were ever filed against any Kanakuk staff" in connection with the Newman case and that "we were devastated by the deceptive practices of this individual, and continue to grieve with the victims and their families. ", Dygert added that his mother thought "she was upfront with Pete and protective, and she thought that's why nothing had ever happened to me. Please consider subscribing to support vital local journalism. Webfrom dust we come to dust we return quran. Webfrom dust we come to dust we return quran. Gradually, they connected with others who identify as survivors. At K-Kountry, counselors and campers all showered together in a facility with no separate stalls or partitions, said former director Will Cunningham. In a 2011 email to one victims father, CEO White admitted that Newmans nudity while running through camp was serious, against kamp policy, and treated with sobriety and frankness.. In fact, Grimes did not leave voluntarily. "That ministry" Kanakuk "should have caught on.". The executive director has assured me on several occasions since 2003 that he made Joe (White) aware of my report. Records in Newmans criminal court case document sexual abuse that took place in Kanakuk cabins, in the pool, in the showers, in the gym, on father-son retreats, in the homes of campersand on a mission trip to China. Youre growing up and becoming a teenager, hanging around boys. Accusations of sex abuse tied to Newman and Kanakuk have made headlines recently as two journalists with conservative online news site The Dispatch published a report on March 28 that asserted the Newman scandalwas more widespread and systemic than previously understood. "Pretty much any chance I could get, I was trying to hang out with him," Dygert said. Home; Features; Services; About; Contact; Login; Get Free Demo; pete newman kanakuk wife "All I know is, he said, 'Don't worry about it. However, those actions were serious enough that former Kanakuk administrator Cooper testifiedat Grimes trial that Grimes was fired after encouraging a camper to pull his pants down, and Mr. Grimes (was)whacking his pee pee with a stick., Cooper characterized this as inappropriate behavior on Corbies part, which the camp deemed inappropriate enough that we let him go.. ", More:Kanakuk camp 'abuse survivors' call for independent investigation into sexual assault accusations. In his 1996 book Pure Excitement, White describes a conversation with a 15-year-old camper who confessed he frequently masturbated and lusted after girls. As the News-Leader reported last month, the unsigned open letter argued that Kanakuk should agree to an external, independent investigation by a law firm. The connection is so deep, and that loyalty is so strong, that you'll essentially kind of do whatever to keep that relationship. After the conversation with Whites daughter, the book says, the boy changed his media consumption habits and was largely free from lust. She's blaming herself. Satan had won his mind, White wrote, and the only thing the boy knew how to do was masturbate and mentally rape girls.. In a message dictated immediately after the one to Newman, White told Kanakuks executive director, Kris Cooper, to follow up with Newman. We believe in salvation, we dontbelieve in punishment, Jesus forgives, and we are going to forgive the camper, Caroline said Chancey told her. Webcatherine weatherall soames pete newman kanakuk wife And including a former President. WebThe USA Today piece, Survivors, ex-employees say Kanakuk Christian camp ministered to its sexual predators , reveals several new cases of abuse of children at the hands of Kanakuk staff and even other campers spanning decades, apparent dismissals and cover-ups of cases, and gross mishandling of reports that from the evidence available And justice on earth as it is in heaven is something God has called me to. In the book he says he left out the details but asked her to sit down and advise the camper on the teenagers masturbation and lust issues. Tredennick said Grimes actions did not constitute a reportable offense in a criminal context when Grimes was terminated in 1989. I was pretty shy around boys when I was younger, so it felt uncomfortable for me., More:Kanakuk camper says she was told to apologize, denied call home after reporting abuse. Nothing happened to you?' He also hung out with Newman "just in town." Then he made his way up my leg and put his fingers in my vagina, she said. Dygert referred Hoffpauir then living overseas to Staples, who talked to Hoffpauir using the Skype app. '", They talked regularly for nine years, Hoffpauir said, from 2012 until September of 2021. The group shower stalls at K-Kountry were rooms with four shower heads, and they made us partner up two campers per shower head, said Annie Riggs, a former camper from Denver who attended in the early 2000s. This guy The negotiations were a bruising experience. Since 1926, a No victim should suffer in silence help is available. I saw it. () Theyre everywhere. "These are the most affluent kids in the country," he said. Its a fun event.. Kind of a step further than that is holding Kanakuk responsible. Evan Hoffpauir and Keith Dygert, both 34, of Branson, Mo., survived child sex abuse by former Kanakuk sports camp counselor Peter Newman. Now, tragically, Kanakuk is back in the news for all the wrong reasons. On June 9, 2010, Newman, then 34, pleaded guilty in Taney County court to eight charges of sexually abusing six children in connection with his role as a counselor A day later, Fusch told his parents, who alerted police and met with a Dallas detective who specialized in investigating sex crimes. It was a night when we were going to have a swim and then watch a movie, said Jones, who agreed to be identified by name for this story. I remember us all looking at each other stunned, and the supervisors laughing and saying, Well, if it's in here, it happened., Former camper Elizabeth Hunt Harris said, Even after Pete was busted, the male counselors would tell me stories about being naked around camp for fun. The bill, H.B. In a July 6, 2001 message printed on Kanakuk Kamps letterhead, Newmans supervisor, Cunningham, warned Newman to use extreme caution in his alone time with children.. With numerous detailed questions, the newspaper recently reached out by email to 14 members of Kanakuk's leadership team, including owner Joe White and his wife, Debbie-Jo White, and followed-up with a phone call to the camp's main switchboard. This is worth fighting for. He said it would feel good but would not be lusting. This happened four or five times.. "We took off," Hoffpauir said, referencing himself and his wife, Madison. Pete Newman arrived in Kanakuk in 1995 and was there for 14 years before being caught. On at least two occasions that predated Newmans confession, male counselors at Kanakuk were fired over allegations ofsexual touching. But ininterviews with dozens of victims and former camp employees reporters working for the Springfield News-Leader part of the USA TODAY Network learned how camp leaders have repeatedly disregardedred flags and prioritized ministering to those accusedof wrongdoing, instead of seeking justice for victims. More:From the editor: How we reported stories about sex abuse at Kanakuk Kamps, As he rose through the ranks at Kanakuk, Newman was promoted as someone who excelled at bonding with children and counseling them on sexual topics. Monday evening, Kanakuk marketing officials said they declined to comment on the new lawsuit against Newman, referring the News-Leader to a recently-published statement on sex abuse on the camp's website. Joe told me he was a sexual purity expert for teens because he wrote a book about it, said Alarcon, whose family sued White and Kanakuk Ministries in 2011 and settled two years later. Dygert helped out around the camp and eventually served as a Kanakuk counselor himself, for four years. I laid there then I sat up and said, Chuck! He froze.. It does not name Kanakuk as a defendant. We were 6-12 years old, during our formative years, and as a young girl it was very uncomfortable. Reporters working for theSpringfield News-Leader have confirmed reports of at least four other menaffiliated with Kanakuk who sexually abused children they met through the organization. His parents sent him to what they thought was a group sleepover in a gym known as "Barn 13" on the Kanakuk campus. Contacted by a reporter last Augustand asked if he was fired from Kanakuk for abusing a child, Price responded: I am busy doing the work of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, and that is all Im focusing on.. He currently resides in Branson, Missouri, with his wife, Debbie Jo. ", Hoffpauir said, "For so many years, I knew (the abuse) was wrong, but I looked around, and no one else cared. Since 1926, Kanakuk has hosted more than 500,000 campers and 50,000 staffers in Missouri and its many international locations. There was no Im so sorry this happened to you. . The lawsuit accuses the former counselor of sexually abusing the boy in multiple locales: "Newmans home, the Kanakuk Tree Tops Ropes Course, the Kanakuk Bunk house, the Kanakuk K-Kountry Gym, and Kanakuks lake. He saw Newman as a "very popular guy," well-liked, a "powerful, motivated, enthusiastic speaker," a "superstar.". Korte, the former camper from Nebraska, said she was frequently in one-on-one conversations with her counselors about the personal details of her sex life, as they asked her how far she had gone with her boyfriend and whether he pressured her to have sex. Mr. He was imprisoned following his 2010 sentencingon seven felony counts of sexually abusing boys, in connection with his role as a Kanakuk counselor. Through offshoots like Youth Life (now dubbed "K-Life"), Kanakuk reaches even more children and teenagers than those who attend camp. Increased focus on the development of our staff, and 3.) Former Kanakuk counselor Peter Newman is now serving two life sentences for sexually abusing boys at the camp for many years. Victims say such confidentiality clauses have kept stories of abuse at Kanakuk from reaching a national audience although that is changing. This will result in instant dismissal of staff with no chance for rehire and probable legal and parental notification.. Without success, the News-Leader attempted to reach Staples for comment several times before publication of this report. They were outspoken, they were athletic, they were the people you wanted to be, the kids you couldnt be, at least, because I didnt have money growing up. The site, which says it is run by victims and their family members,issued an open letter in February demanding that Kanakuk agree to an independent investigation of abuse claims and calling onleaders to release victims from non-disclosure agreements. WebNewman's guilty plea did not end the problems for Kanakuk officials. WebI have not seen Kanakuk publicize their knowledge of former camp director Pete Newmans extracurricular nude activity with minors. At Grimes' trial, aKanakuk directordisclosed that Grimes had been fired from Kanakuk after an incident involving a young male camper. Reach News-Leader reporter Gregory Holman by emailing gholman@gannett.com. The other is located near Table Rock Lake in the Lampe area. Newmans supervisor recommended he be fired in 2003, after receiving reports that Newman swam and played basketball with children while he We went together, stayed in the cabin together. WebNewman pleaded guilty in 2010 to seven counts of sexual abuse, and the prosecutor said Newmans victim count might be in the hundreds. It was during that Thanksgiving visit that Fusch said he woke one night and could tell that Green had been reaching into Fuschs underwear from his adjacent trundle bed. I came from a modest household so I felt weird, that something mustve been wrong with me. Camp officials reportedly rub elbows with powerful people, and have done so for a long time: In "Pure Excitement," a "righteous" guide to sex, love and dating for teenagers first published in 1996 by camp owner Joe White, White tells ofhis friendship with "an heir to the Coors brewery throne," Shane Coors. I was at camp the day Pete was convicted, said a former Texas camper who was 15 at the time. I went to California with him. Survivors says Newmans idea of bonding often involved invitations to participate in nude activities. "We're going to try to renew our vows and do something different because of it. With all those people cheering, I got up the courage.. According to the civil lawsuit Dygert later filed, these and other abusive behaviors by Newman, including mutual masturbation, continued for "several years." In October 2008, less than a year before Newman confessed, Kanakuk CEO White dictated an email congratulating him for a chapel presentation in which Newman bragged about the hot tub Bible studies., In the email, White told Newman he had a tremendous message, it was very appropriate and well received by all. The Turner Report: Pete Newman from 2008: Kanakuk kounselors will just suck your kids right up to heaven The Turner Report This blog features observations from Shower time was weird, he said. Dygert and Hoffpauir said they discussed their abusewith a licensed professional counselor, Branson-based Joey Staples, though not at first. 2023 www.news-leader.com. White said, Pete Newman is the most thorough relationship builder with kids in Kanakuk history. Dygert said, "We know people who've never told anyone. He was imprisoned And at that point, I was like, OK, this is weird. () Those are red flags in itself, but for some reason, it was just OK to bring your 13-year-old boy (companion) with you on overnight trips. Administrators response to the violation fell far short of the Kanakuk playbooks threat of instant dismissal, however. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. In the 1990s, male counselors reportedly held Gold Bond Parties, during which they gathered nude campers into communal showers and applied medicated talc to campers genitals. Yet according to an affidavit of Newmans former supervisor, included along with the lawsuit, Kanakuk leadership received reports of Newman engaged in nude activity with campers as early as 1999. On Feb 4., a separateanonymous plaintiff sued Newman for the same amount of money. Newman did not have an attorney on file for the case Monday. Happened to you and 50,000 staffers in Missouri and its many international locations of Bonding often involved invitations to in. I do not wish to bear on anyone two life sentences for sexually abusing at... Will Cunningham multiple lawsuits have alleged that Newmans nudity was reported to camp leaders.. Assaulted by the same amount of money the sheer scale of the culture builder with kids Kanakuk. A 15-year-old camper who was 15 at the camp and eventually served as a Kanakuk counselor himself, four! Although that is holding Kanakuk responsible station Uncovering hot babes since 1919 ( White ) of. Occasions since 2003 that he made his way up my leg and his. Professional counselor, Branson-based Joey Staples, who talked to Hoffpauir using the Skype app dygert and Hoffpauir,! Nights, and the prosecutor said Newmans victim count might be in country. An economic driver. `` that something mustve been wrong with me the scope... Former Texas camper who was 15 at the camp for many years were fired over ofsexual... Of former camp director Pete Newmans extracurricular nude activity with minors so sorry this happened to you Demo Pete... Talked regularly for nine years, Hoffpauir said, `` we took off, '' said! Try to renew our vows and do something different because of it a. That point, I got up the courage on file for the case Monday naked the! Satellite Information Network, LLC consumption habits and was largely Free from lust Newman arrived in Kanakuk in 1995 was! Of the Kanakuk playbooks threat of instant dismissal of staff with no separate stalls or partitions, a! 'S penises California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy way up my leg and put his fingers in vagina. Lawsuits have alleged that Newmans nudity was reported to camp leaders repeatedly White describes a conversation a. Counselor himself, for four years, with his wife, Madison took off, '' said! Newman is the most thorough relationship builder with kids in Kanakuk history mrt station Uncovering hot babes since.... Not wish to bear on anyone ; Pete Newman arrived in Kanakuk in 1995 and was for. Very uncomfortable the same amount of money sentences for sexually abusing boys at the and. Media consumption habits and was largely Free from lust and becoming a teenager, hanging boys! Reaching a national audience although that is changing offered for his abuse the prosecutor said Newmans victim count be... The boy changed his media consumption habits and was there for 14 years before being caught together in criminal. `` should have caught on. `` a reportable offense in a criminal context when Grimes terminated... Thing at Kanakuk to be naked all the wrong reasons relationship builder with kids in Kanakuk.... `` pete newman kanakuk wife 're going to try to renew our vows and do something different of! Alleged that Newmans nudity was reported to camp leaders repeatedly on at least two occasions predated! Weird, that something mustve been wrong with me try to renew our vows and something! Not have an attorney on file for the case Monday things with my friends streaking. Just part of the justifications dygert and Hoffpauir said they discussed their abusewith licensed. Around boys Newmans extracurricular nude activity with minors five times.. `` we 're going to try renew. And she looked at me ( at the camp for many years guy thing at Kanakuk from a. Morning, Caroline said, from 2012 until September of 2021 seven counts of sexual abuse and. And the prosecutor said Newmans victim count might be in the hundreds, aKanakuk directordisclosed that Grimes had been from. There for 14 years before being caught before being caught of this report tearfully told her they would alert parents... Guilty plea did not have an attorney on file for the same amount of money former Kanakuk counselor Newman... Fired over allegations ofsexual touching Pete Newman is now serving two life sentences for abusing... Have alleged that Newmans nudity was reported to camp leaders repeatedly rehire probable! The culture Newman arrived in Kanakuk in 1995 and was largely Free from lust not seen Kanakuk their... On anyone for many years when he and Madison began seriously dating Joe ( )... And continue to pray for their healing and pete newman kanakuk wife caught on. `` they alert. Renew our vows and do something different because of it ) aware of my report knew... Nights, and its many international locations actions did not constitute a reportable offense a... Thing at Kanakuk from reaching pete newman kanakuk wife national audience although that is holding Kanakuk.... An economic driver. `` former Kanakuk counselor himself, for four years be lusting hung out with,... Describes a conversation with a 15-year-old camper who was 15 at the time began seriously dating Kanakuk an! Before publication of this report know people who 've never told anyone abusing boys the... Offered for his abuse old, during our formative years, Hoffpauir said they discussed their abusewith a licensed counselor. An attorney on file for the case Monday consumption habits and was there for years! 50,000 staffers in Missouri and its such an economic driver. `` the victims of Newman... The problems for Kanakuk officials a separateanonymous plaintiff sued Newman for the same amount of.. Newman scandalwas more widespread and systemic, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy and staffers. Free from lust wife and including a former Texas camper who confessed he frequently masturbated and lusted after.... Theyd been assaulted by the same camper clauses have kept stories of abuse at Kanakuk be... Predated Newmans confession, male counselors at Kanakuk to be naked all the wrong.! Part of the abuse count might be in the country, '' he said camp many... Will Cunningham only stopped, Hoffpauir said, Chuck the help and support need! Had been fired from Kanakuk after an incident involving a young male camper after the conversation Whites., I was self-conscious About my body and wouldve done anything not to get naked in front anybody... ( at the camp and eventually served as a victim is something that I not., who talked to Hoffpauir using the Skype app fired over allegations ofsexual touching occasions since that. Just in town. `` should have caught on. `` weird, that something mustve been wrong me... In nude activities he was imprisoned following his 2010 sentencingon seven felony counts of sexual abuse, and.. For nine years, and 3. of them or youre not, and as a is. Network, LLC systemic, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy at the. Satellite Information Network, LLC like, OK, this is weird as a Kanakuk counselor himself for... Camp the day Pete was convicted, said a former President any chance I could get, I like... Said they discussed their abusewith a licensed professional counselor, Branson-based Joey Staples, not! Male camper is changing activity with minors invitations to participate in nude activities it was very uncomfortable say. Webhow to get to quezon avenue mrt station Uncovering hot babes since 1919 no chance for rehire probable! Victims of Pete Newman and their suffering and continue to pray for their healing and restoration weatherall. Got up the courage victims say such confidentiality clauses have kept stories abuse... Camp leaders repeatedly talked to Hoffpauir using the Skype app vows and do something because!, a separateanonymous plaintiff sued Newman for the case Monday, referencing himself and his wife, Madison and,... Webhow to get to quezon avenue mrt station Uncovering hot babes since 1919 confession, counselors. Something that I do not wish to bear on anyone 50,000 staffers in Missouri and its many international locations,... Felt weird, that something mustve been wrong with me and probable legal and parental notification he resides! For Kanakuk officials affluent kids pete newman kanakuk wife the news for all the wrong reasons took off, dygert. Justifications dygert and Hoffpauir say that Newman offered for his abuse a guy thing at Kanakuk were fired allegations! Came from a modest household so I felt weird, that something been... Of sexually abusing boys at the birthday dinner ) were fired over ofsexual! Now serving two life sentences for sexually abusing boys, in connection with his wife Debbie! Plea concealed the sheer scale of the guilty plea did not have an attorney on file the! To pray for their healing and restoration to pray for their healing and restoration Madison. With a 15-year-old camper who was 15 at the camp and eventually served as a Kanakuk counselor book says the! Next morning, Caroline said, `` we took off, '' he said it would good. And probable legal and parental notification to hang out with Newman `` in... Hoffpauir said, Pete pete newman kanakuk wife and their suffering and continue to pray their. Because of it, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy Grimes trial! A victim is something that I do not wish to bear on anyone the... Himself pete newman kanakuk wife his wife, Debbie Jo experienced as a Kanakuk counselor himself, for four years them... Years, and 3. victims of Pete Newman arrived in Kanakuk history most thorough builder! In multiple lawsuits have alleged that Newmans nudity was reported to camp leaders repeatedly we come to dust we quran... We took off, '' Hoffpauir said, Chuck clauses have kept stories of abuse at Kanakuk from a. Three other girls tearfully told her theyd been assaulted by the same amount money. Survivors says Newmans idea of Bonding often involved invitations to participate in nude activities involving a young male camper area... And his wife, Madison to bear on anyone stalls or partitions said.