Allegations of sexual abuse at Kanakuk Camp - KFOR

[teamkanakuk]

what wrote:

Pete did not save you, only Jesus saves.<quoted text>

Don't pick at words, I'm sure they meant that Pete led them to be saved. That he led them in the prayer of salvation. Hopefully no one thinks that Pete literally saved them from hell.

[Resident]

Dismayed wrote:

My son was a victim. This has literally rocked our world. Everyone should know that Pete was counseled by kamp on his inappropriate behavior in 1999 and then again in 2002 or 2003. This is something I recently learned. Had I known it earlier, I never would have trusted the man. I am beside myself with anger. Angry that I trusted Pete with my son and his hypocrisy. I was fooled and I let my son down. Life will never be the same for us.

Dismayed, I am so sorry for what has happened to your son and your family. I pray that you will be able to get past this horrible event in your life.

Are you telling us that Kamp knew of this problem Pete had? That's what I want to know...I am trying to decide if my children will attend or not this summer. It hinges on whether or not the Kamp did all they could to stop this behavior..

[cyneburgs field]

Ever wished you would have done something, but didn't? Something you wanted to do, perhaps even needed to do; but for one reason or no reason at all, you just never did. We all have. And many of us still do. Instead of doing, we don't. And a lifetime of missed opportunities passes us by, or we live a life of regret.
I would like to share my heart with you but too long for this thread. It is worth the read for I know the affects of sexual abuse because of my own experiences. Please know that I, a Christian mother of four boys and an office administrator of a Christian Camp, am devastated for all of you, especially the children.
Please visit http://cyneburgfield.blogspot.com/

[KukStaffAlumni]

I have to agree. As a former "lifer" staffer in the mid 1980's, Kanakuk was a blast to work at and lead kids to Christ. But so often, we as Christians tend to put faith in leaders, organizations, churches and become blind to what could be right in front of us. Evangelical leaders who gain the trust of parents and kids all need strict accountability. Now we're in a grief process (shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance) and the church family is in pain. People need to talk about it in a healing way so the healing can begin. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER put your faith in a person, pastor or leader of an organization. As a Christian, your loyalty is with the Creator and the Creator only. Many successful Christian organizations tend to be "built up" and "talked up" by people---therefore, we the people, are the ones that fall asleep and blindly give our trust to pastors and Christian leaders. Worship God, fellowship with other believers, but teach your kids the harsh realities of the world we live in---we don't live in a glass bubble anymore. Shalom to all. Pray for the children and the families for Jesus said," if anyone causes even any of these little ones to stumble, he should tie a millstone around his neck and jump in the lake."

Kukparent wrote:

I do not see any sense in not talking about this decade long tragedy. People are trying to understand what went on and to cope regarding something we trusted in. God brings things into light, reveals things... for good purposes. I am hoping for the best for Kanakuk, but I will never idolize Kanakuk as if it is necessary to God for the building of His kingdom! For heavens sakes, due to the experiences we have all loved at camp, our hope is Kanakuk survives this, yet, we really don't know all that God sees and knows. It may be His will that Kanakuk closes. We will wait and see. For ten years we did not realize one of the key leaders of this organization was a child predator carrying out his attacks on children. At this point, we cannot know how much damage went on even further. I will not make Kanakuk bigger than my God. I will not pretend God's kingdom hinges on whether or not our camp exists... Scripture also says that before the end of this age, God will shake the things of this earth and everything that is not of Him will be loosened, the things that are of Him will remain. I am not wishing to start some "fight"... but goodness, we Christians can really say some ridiculous things, out of habit, that reveal where our attachments, dependencies, and faith really do rest. Kanakuk has been fantastic through the years, but now we know it has also been a place of torment and abuse through the last decade for some. Balance and true faith is the lens that one must look at this whole thing through. I'm not going to live like I believe my children's spiritual growth will be stunted if they never see Kanakuk again. Perhaps they will go again, perhaps they won't. It's God who is building them up... in whatever ways and through whatever means He sees are faithful and useful. God's work and God's kingdom are not dependent upon Kanakuk. So I'm not going to act as if that is so. Let's live in truth... even though Kanakuk has been a very special place to us, whether rightly or wrongly so.

[Tracy Heller]

All three of my children have attended kanakuk for years!! My two oldest girls have also worked at the camp. Their years at camp have been some of their most fondest memories of their lives!!! My son attended K2 this past summer and wants to attend again next summer after his senior year!! It breaks my heart for the families involved and it breaks my heart for Joe White and his family!! That man stands before these kids and the parents at closing ceremonies and makes such a HUGE impact on everyone!!! I give so much credit to Kanakuk Kamps for who my children are spiritually. I pray this incredible camp can heal and move forward. It is a very very sad situation, but Kanakuk will move forward and continue to minister and better children's lives.

[A Concerned Parent]

Question wrote:

I, too, was sickened when I read the court information. I pray that for the young children affected by this man. They have a long road ahead of them.
My 2 children have attended K-Kountry for 3 years now. I will make a big decision when I decide to send them back or not this summer. I just want to make sure that the camp was not aware of this problem and tried to "cover" it up.
Ms. Hayward is making this into a Catholic vs Protestant issue....which is CRAZY! The Catholic church was aware of many of their child abusing priests and covered up the problem by sending them to other churches. I just want to make sure Kanakak didn't do the same thing...I pray they didn't. We love Kakakuk and can't imagine telling my kids they can't go..

I totally agree with you on this one when you said that you would have to make sure there wasn't a cover up. I have noticed that more lately when kids are involved! There is usually a cover up when it goes on this long.

[BGT]

Pervert city. Disgusting

[Anonymous]

I have known Pete since his days in Youthlife (which was eventually replaced by Klife) in Branson, Missouri, as well as from my days working for Kanakuk - briefly. I stopped working with all those organizations because I had noticed some strange things - including a disturbing trend among the male leaders and the young boys. They preach "don't be tempted by girls" and then replace those desires with flirting with one another. Constantly wrestling, embracing, slapping butts, joking inappropriately, running around naked - or nearly naked- acting like it is funny. As sad and shocked as I was to hear about Pete, I believe it. I have seen and heard about the skinny-dipping, streaking, and hot tub one-on-ones. I NEVER heard about any sexual encounters. But like I said - it all adds up. The warning signs have been there since the beginning. Pete is a pervert - and unfortunately some of the young men he mentored have taken on some of his habits to be their own. This is huge and much bigger than just Pete Newman. He has scarred dozens of boys that are now men who are scarring more boys - all the while using ministry.

[Bag of Bones]

Well let's see, the Catholic Church has condoned pedophiles and child molesters among its Priests for decades (if not centuries). They just cover up and transfer them to another Parish, in another state/community.

Soooooo, just how is the church doing?

Why, rolling right along - thank you!

Amusing, all the moral outrage directed at the K. Kamps owners.

( Hey, guess what parents ...your 12-14 year old boy is somewhere jerking-off ...probably as I write this!) LMAO!

[saint refund]

Shut them down, but refund my money before you do it. Are you serious? 80 years= unknown number of victims. Joe White should be ashamed! Knowing and not telling until after he collected our summer funds. That's a sin.

[saint refund]

To Tracy Heller,

Joe White did not stand up before my children in closing ceramony. He was too busy covering up a pedophile on his staff for 14 years.

Wake up. Oh that's right you have girls. No worries there. Pete and who knows who else just want's the 9-14 year old boys. Go ahead send your girls back...God will protect.

[KanakomoGirl]

Resident wrote:

<quoted text>
I was thinking the same thing...I saw an ad like this over the summer after the initial email from Kamp saying Pete Newman had left, changes happen, blah, blah, blah...don't exactly remember when the email came - maybe April?
When was he officially let go? I've heard Feb. and March... Was it after he was fired that he sent in the letter confessing in June? It angers me if Mr. White did let him go and continued to watch Pete travel over the summer still working with kids... things don't make sense. Before I send my hard-earned money this summer, I need some answers.

Pete was let go back in feb or march.. It is to my knowledge that he hasn't worked since then but him and family have been living with family member throughout the country.

[LOL]

Tracy Heller wrote:

All three of my children have attended kanakuk for years!! My two oldest girls have also worked at the camp. Their years at camp have been some of their most fondest memories of their lives!!! My son attended K2 this past summer and wants to attend again next summer after his senior year!! It breaks my heart for the families involved and it breaks my heart for Joe White and his family!! That man stands before these kids and the parents at closing ceremonies and makes such a HUGE impact on everyone!!! I give so much credit to Kanakuk Kamps for who my children are spiritually. I pray this incredible camp can heal and move forward. It is a very very sad situation, but Kanakuk will move forward and continue to minister and better children's lives.

Hate to tell you this, but if your son wants to go back... He's gay!

[annoyed]

LOL wrote:

<quoted text>
Hate to tell you this, but if your son wants to go back... He's gay!

I guess it takes one to know one.

Obviously you've never been

[LOL]

Wow good one. What are you in elementary school? dirrr takes one to know one... dirrr look at me... i have a wooden spoon.

And you are right I have never been gay.

[annoyed]

drrr....just as profound as my comment. get some class.

[LOL]

Umm... No!

[LOL]

As profound as your comment... yes, but not as gay as yours.

[dallas]

CINDY - you obviously know nothing about Kanakuk or Pete Newman. Its very devastating to learn that someone you've known for so long would do something like this, but it should not reflect upon the camp, and all of its staff. Children have been attending Kanakuk for several years, and the families who run it have earned a great deal of respect worldwide because of the incredible things they have done for many children's lives, as well as their families. It would probably be greatly appreciated by many that you and anyone else with a strong, invalid opinion in this matter, keep your thoughts to yourselves, as you know very little of the details of these allegations as well as the immense good Peter Newman and Kanakuk has done in the lives of people all ages across the world. Kanakuk is in my prayers; I spent many summers there and adored every single staff member. Peter and his family are in my prayers as well.

[Bystander]

I am a camp person. I support camping ministry and feel it will have amazing impact on the lives of campers. I have also been a fill time director for nearly 10 years. My thouhts and prayers go first to the families and victims. Second to the camp.
I have readmany of your posts and feel that many people may not get the full grasp of how mich this could affect the campers, families, staff, and the camp for years. I worked at a camp that went through a similar event it is devestating and hard to deal with the entire severity. Camp does do great things for kids no doubt I am sure that this camp has had Many life changing moments buy it will years before people move on from this. It is sad that a person can ruin or tarnish the reputation that so Manu have worked hard to build.

My thoughts and prayers are with all people erected by his problem and hope the camp gets through this and is able to get back to doing gods work.