Kanakuk Kamps: Difference between revisions
JaneClawsten (talk | contribs) ←Created page with '{{Short description|Christian children and teen summer camp}} '''Kanakuk Kamps''' are a global network of Christian teen and summer camps. The camps were founded in 1926 by (whoever). In 2010, camp director Peter Newman was convicted of child sexual abuse, and in the 2020s, many civil suits were filed against the camp for underage sexual abuse. ==History== Founded in 1926 in Branson, Missouri.<ref name="usatoday">{{cite news |last1=French |first1=Nancy |...' |
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'''Kanakuk Kamps''' are a global network of Christian teen and summer camps. The camps were founded in 1926 by (whoever). In 2010, camp director Peter Newman was convicted of child sexual abuse, and in the 2020s, many civil suits were filed against the camp for underage sexual abuse. |
'''Kanakuk Kamps''' are a global network of Christian teen and summer camps. The camps were founded in 1926 by (whoever). In 2010, camp director Peter Newman was convicted of child sexual abuse, and in the 2020s, many civil suits were filed against the camp for underage sexual abuse. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Founded in 1926 in Branson, Missouri.<ref name="usatoday">{{cite news |last1=French |first1=Nancy |title=Survivors, ex-employees say Kanakuk Christian camp 'ministered' to its sexual predators |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2022/05/27/sex-abuse-kanakuk-christian-camp-missouri-peter-newman/9907577002/ |publisher=USA Today |date=May 27, 2022}}</ref> |
Founded in 1926 in Branson, Missouri.<ref name="usatoday">{{cite news |last1=French |first1=Nancy |title=Survivors, ex-employees say Kanakuk Christian camp 'ministered' to its sexual predators |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2022/05/27/sex-abuse-kanakuk-christian-camp-missouri-peter-newman/9907577002/ |publisher=USA Today |date=May 27, 2022}}</ref> Joe White purchased Kanakuk Kamps from his father in 1976.<ref name="nudity">{{cite news |last1=French |first1=Nancy |title=‘It was just a thing at Kanakuk’: Campers and staff say nudity was part of camp culture |url=https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2022/05/26/camp-kanakuk-nudity-culture-hid-abuse-grooming-pete-newman-branson/9654342002/ |publisher=Springfield News-Leader |date=May 26, 2022}}</ref> |
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The camp has locations in eight states, including Missouri, Illinois, and Texas.<ref name="springfield" /> |
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Joe White |
Joe White |
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The camp has locations in eight states, including Missouri, Illinois, and Texas.<ref name="springfield" /> Since 1926, Kanakuk has hosted more than 500,000 campers and 50,000 staffers.<ref name="usatoday" /> |
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In 2020, Kanakuk reported annual revenue of $24 million.<ref name="indp" /> |
In 2020, Kanakuk reported annual revenue of $24 million.<ref name="indp" /> |
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No More Victims, LLC. opened a website |
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===Offshoots=== |
===Offshoots=== |
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Link Academy, Kanakuk Institute |
Link Academy, Kanakuk Institute, Kids across america |
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==Sexual abuse== |
==Sexual abuse== |
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Kanakuk Kamps created a culture that allowed predators access to underage children. No More Victims, LLC. opened a website called Facts About Kanakuk that |
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Kanakuk Kamps has a long history of |
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Nudity was part of the camp culture, including communal showers and physical inspections of naked campers. At one of the camps called K-Kountry, counselors and campers "all showered together" with "no separate stalls or partitions."<ref name="nudity" /> As of 2000, Kanakuk's "Employee Playbook" prohibited nudity. Newman, White, and other counselors had conversations about purity, sex, and masturbation.<ref name="nudity" /> |
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Developed Child Protection Plan in 2009.<ref name="usatoday" /> |
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In response to allegations against Newman, Kanakuk developed a Child Protection Plan in 2009.<ref name="usatoday" /> The plan included not having any more sleepovers with underage boys. Leadership did not report Newman to authorities.<ref name="vice" /> |
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| ⚫ | In 2010, camp director Peter Newman pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of six children between 2006 to 2008, although prosecutors alleged the |
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| ⚫ | In 2010, camp director Peter Newman pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of six children between 2006 to 2008, although prosecutors alleged the abuse began as early as 1999. He was sentenced to two life sentences plus 30 years in prison. Later, a civil lawsuit filed against Newman stated that he abused 57 underage victims, and he was found liable for more than $5 million.<ref name="springfield">{{cite news |last1=Holman |first1=Gregory J. |title=Branson men, both 34, describe Kanakuk sex abuse, call for camp to be held accountable |url=https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/missouri/2022/04/21/kanakuk-christian-sports-camp-two-branson-men-share-peter-newman-child-sex-abuse-stories/7120284001/ |publisher=Springfield News-Leader |date=April 21, 2022}}</ref> |
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In 2015, White was sued for being aware of the sexual abuse at his camp. Documents during civil court proceedings show that camp leaders were aware of Newman's inappropriate behavior, including nudity with children. A former staff member said Newman was recommended to be fired in 2003, but the complaints were dismissed.<ref name="usatoday" /> |
In 2015, White was sued for being aware of the sexual abuse at his camp. Documents during civil court proceedings show that camp leaders were aware of Newman's inappropriate behavior, including nudity with children. A former staff member said Newman was recommended to be fired in 2003, but the complaints were dismissed.<ref name="usatoday" /> |
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In April 2021, No More Victims, LLC. published the website Facts About Kanakuk to provide information about the camp. They published an open letter demanding an independent investigation and called on leaders to release all victims from non-disclosure agreements.<ref name="usatoday" /> |
In April 2021, No More Victims, LLC. published the website Facts About Kanakuk to provide information about the camp. They published an open letter demanding an independent investigation and called on leaders to release all victims from non-disclosure agreements.<ref name="usatoday" /> |
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Investigative reporting from journalists Nancy French and David French showed that camp leaders knew about Newman's behavior, and victims and family members have come forward with abuse they faced at Kanakuk.<ref name="feb22">{{cite news |last1=Holman |first1=Gregory J. |title=Kanakuk issues new statement on camp child sex abuse; survivor calls it 'disgusting' |url=https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2022/02/25/kanakuk-kamps-abuse-child-sex-camp-issues-statement/6892269001/ |publisher=Springfield News-Leader |date=February 25, 2022}}</ref> |
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==racism== |
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Kids across america |
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Kanakuk released a statement on February 25, 2022, responding to the No More Victims website and civil lawsuits.<ref>{{cite web |title=From the desk of Joe White |url=https://kanakuk-web.s3.amazonaws.com/Our+Response+Page/Letter+From+Joe+White.pdf |website=Kanakuk Kamps}}</ref> They released a second statement on May 24, 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |title=Kanakuk's statement provided in response to the News-Leader's questions |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2022/05/26/kanakuk-kamps-statement-response-child-sexual-abuse-questions-pete-newman/9911776002/ |publisher=USA Today |date=May 26, 2022}}</ref> |
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==lawsuits== |
==lawsuits== |
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As early as 2011, civil lawsuits against White and Kanakuk Kamps began. A civil suit from Taney County with an unnamed plaintiff alleged that Kanakuk Kamps CEO Kris Cooper and President White knew and covered up Newman's sexual abuse.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Joshua |title=Abuse case heightened |url=https://www.bransontrilakesnews.com/news_free/article_ed67d13e-98aa-11e2-af11-001a4bcf887a.html |publisher=Branson Trilakes News |date=March 29, 2013}}</ref> |
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In 2022, Logan Yandell filed a lawsuit against Joe White, Kanakuk Heritage and Kanakuk Ministries that alleged he was sexually abused during his attendance between 2005 and 2008 by former camp director Peter Newman, and that Kanakuk leadership knew about it. Yandell settled with Kanakuk Kamps in 2010 for an undisclosed amount and signed a non-disclosure agreement.<ref name="indp">{{cite news |last1=Bates |first1=Clara |title=Former camper suing Missouri-based Kanakuk claiming ‘fraudulent’ abuse settlement |url=https://missouriindependent.com/2022/11/22/former-camper-suing-missouri-based-kanakuk-kamps-claiming-fraudulent-abuse-settlement/ |publisher=Missouri Independent |date=November 22, 2022}}</ref> Yandell was seeking a jury trial and $25,000 in damages.<ref name="vice">{{cite news |last1=Duerson |first1=Meena |title=A Christian Camp Director Abused Dozens of Kids. Now, a Victim Says the Camp Lied to Coerce Him Into an NDA. |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/camp-kanakuk-abuse-peter-newman-nda-lawsuit/ |publisher=VICE News |date=December 21, 2022}}</ref> |
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In 2022, |
In 2022, Kanakuk Kamps sued ACE American Insurance Co., accusing the insurance company of forcing the camp to cover up sexual abuse.<ref name="kcur">{{cite news |last1=Bates |first1=Clara |title=Missouri Christian camp blames insurance company for its choice to withhold info on sexual abuse |url=https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-11-07/missouri-christian-camp-blames-insurance-company-for-its-choice-to-withhold-info-on-sexual-abuse |work=Missouri Independent |publisher=KCUR NPR in Kansas City |date=November 7, 2023}}</ref> |
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==External links== |
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In 2022, Kanakuk Kamps sued ACE American Insurance Co., accusing the insurance company of forcing the camp to cover up sexual abuse.<ref name="kcur">{{cite news |last1=Bates |first1=Clara |title=Missouri Christian camp blames insurance company for its choice to withhold info on sexual abuse |url=https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-11-07/missouri-christian-camp-blames-insurance-company-for-its-choice-to-withhold-info-on-sexual-abuse |work=Missouri Independent |publisher=KCUR NPR in Kansas City |date=November 7, 2023}}</ref> |
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*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idY-44IZ1SY&t=4s VICE News Video: Abused at Christian Summer Camp, Survivors Say They’ve Been Kept Silent] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 17:29, 26 September 2024
Kanakuk Kamps are a global network of Christian teen and summer camps. The camps were founded in 1926 by (whoever). In 2010, camp director Peter Newman was convicted of child sexual abuse, and in the 2020s, many civil suits were filed against the camp for underage sexual abuse.
History
Founded in 1926 in Branson, Missouri.[1] Joe White purchased Kanakuk Kamps from his father in 1976.[2]
Joe White
The camp has locations in eight states, including Missouri, Illinois, and Texas.[3] Since 1926, Kanakuk has hosted more than 500,000 campers and 50,000 staffers.[1]
In 2020, Kanakuk reported annual revenue of $24 million.[4]
Offshoots
Link Academy, Kanakuk Institute, Kids across america
Sexual abuse
Kanakuk Kamps created a culture that allowed predators access to underage children. No More Victims, LLC. opened a website called Facts About Kanakuk that
Nudity was part of the camp culture, including communal showers and physical inspections of naked campers. At one of the camps called K-Kountry, counselors and campers "all showered together" with "no separate stalls or partitions."[2] As of 2000, Kanakuk's "Employee Playbook" prohibited nudity. Newman, White, and other counselors had conversations about purity, sex, and masturbation.[2]
In response to allegations against Newman, Kanakuk developed a Child Protection Plan in 2009.[1] The plan included not having any more sleepovers with underage boys. Leadership did not report Newman to authorities.[5]
In 2010, camp director Peter Newman pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of six children between 2006 to 2008, although prosecutors alleged the abuse began as early as 1999. He was sentenced to two life sentences plus 30 years in prison. Later, a civil lawsuit filed against Newman stated that he abused 57 underage victims, and he was found liable for more than $5 million.[3]
In 2015, White was sued for being aware of the sexual abuse at his camp. Documents during civil court proceedings show that camp leaders were aware of Newman's inappropriate behavior, including nudity with children. A former staff member said Newman was recommended to be fired in 2003, but the complaints were dismissed.[1]
While Kanakuk leadership claimed that Newman was a single outlier, reporters at the Springfield News-Leader identified reports of at least four other men who were associated with Kanakuk that sexually abused children through the organization. These men include Corbie Dale Grimes, Ed Ringheim, Paul Green, and Chuck Price, who were camp counselors and a program director.[1]
In April 2021, No More Victims, LLC. published the website Facts About Kanakuk to provide information about the camp. They published an open letter demanding an independent investigation and called on leaders to release all victims from non-disclosure agreements.[1]
Investigative reporting from journalists Nancy French and David French showed that camp leaders knew about Newman's behavior, and victims and family members have come forward with abuse they faced at Kanakuk.[6]
Kanakuk released a statement on February 25, 2022, responding to the No More Victims website and civil lawsuits.[7] They released a second statement on May 24, 2022.[8]
lawsuits
As early as 2011, civil lawsuits against White and Kanakuk Kamps began. A civil suit from Taney County with an unnamed plaintiff alleged that Kanakuk Kamps CEO Kris Cooper and President White knew and covered up Newman's sexual abuse.[9]
In 2022, Logan Yandell filed a lawsuit against Joe White, Kanakuk Heritage and Kanakuk Ministries that alleged he was sexually abused during his attendance between 2005 and 2008 by former camp director Peter Newman, and that Kanakuk leadership knew about it. Yandell settled with Kanakuk Kamps in 2010 for an undisclosed amount and signed a non-disclosure agreement.[4] Yandell was seeking a jury trial and $25,000 in damages.[5]
In 2022, Kanakuk Kamps sued ACE American Insurance Co., accusing the insurance company of forcing the camp to cover up sexual abuse.[10]
External links
References
- ^ a b c d e f French, Nancy (May 27, 2022). "Survivors, ex-employees say Kanakuk Christian camp 'ministered' to its sexual predators". USA Today.
- ^ a b c French, Nancy (May 26, 2022). "'It was just a thing at Kanakuk': Campers and staff say nudity was part of camp culture". Springfield News-Leader.
- ^ a b Holman, Gregory J. (April 21, 2022). "Branson men, both 34, describe Kanakuk sex abuse, call for camp to be held accountable". Springfield News-Leader.
- ^ a b Bates, Clara (November 22, 2022). "Former camper suing Missouri-based Kanakuk claiming 'fraudulent' abuse settlement". Missouri Independent.
- ^ a b Duerson, Meena (December 21, 2022). "A Christian Camp Director Abused Dozens of Kids. Now, a Victim Says the Camp Lied to Coerce Him Into an NDA". VICE News.
- ^ Holman, Gregory J. (February 25, 2022). "Kanakuk issues new statement on camp child sex abuse; survivor calls it 'disgusting'". Springfield News-Leader.
- ^ "From the desk of Joe White" (PDF). Kanakuk Kamps.
- ^ Staff (May 26, 2022). "Kanakuk's statement provided in response to the News-Leader's questions". USA Today.
- ^ Clark, Joshua (March 29, 2013). "Abuse case heightened". Branson Trilakes News.
- ^ Bates, Clara (November 7, 2023). "Missouri Christian camp blames insurance company for its choice to withhold info on sexual abuse". Missouri Independent. KCUR NPR in Kansas City.
Category:Christian_summer_camps