The Shawn Ryan Show – Episode #272
Guest: Elizabeth Phillips
Title: Inside Camp Kanakuk: One of America’s Darkest Child Summer Camps
Date: January 19, 2026
Host: Shawn Ryan
Episode Overview
This gripping and harrowing episode features Elizabeth Phillips, a leading advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse and the founder of No More Victims. Elizabeth courageously details her personal and investigative journey following the tragic suicide of her brother Trey, who was sexually abused and trafficked at the influential evangelical summer camp, Kanakuk, in Missouri. Through candid conversation and powerful testimony, Elizabeth and Shawn lay bare the scale of institutional abuse, the systematic failures that enabled it, the subsequent cover-ups, and the urgent need for legal and cultural change to protect children. The discussion is both a sobering exposé and a call to action for reform, transparency, prevention, and survivor support—not just at Kanakuk, but in youth-serving organizations nation-wide.
Main Discussion Points & Insights
1. Personal Tragedy and the Roots of Advocacy
(06:06, 12:07, 33:01, 159:52)
- Elizabeth’s Background: Grew up in upper-middle-class evangelical circles; Kanakuk was seen as a prestigious Christian sports camp.
- Trey’s Story: Her younger brother Trey was sexually abused and likely trafficked by a prominent camp director, Pete Newman, leading to severe mental health struggles and ultimately his suicide in 2019.
- Turning Grief Into Action: What began as personal grief transformed into “lifelong work” for institutional change after seeing the widespread, systematic suffering among survivors.
“I just can’t unsee what I’ve seen. This part of my mission started with my brother’s death. And I knew I had to turn that pain into something powerful, something purposeful.” – Elizabeth (06:06)
- Sacred Responsibility: Elizabeth underscores the gravity and honor—though not pleasure—in being a voice for the voiceless.
“This is hard. … Someone has to talk about it, and that’s how we turn the tide.” – Elizabeth (07:12)
2. The Kanakuk Camp Empire and Its Deep Failures
(14:13, 21:54, 22:01, 29:00, 39:28, 55:01)
- Massive Influence: Kanakuk has operated for 100 years, boasts 500,000 alumni, and reportedly generated $35–45M annual revenue. It’s a multi-entity operation recruiting privileged evangelical kids, celebrities, athletes, and even operates programs for urban/Black youth (Kids Across America).
- Joe White’s Dominance: Joe White, the charismatic, self-styled “America’s expert on teenagers,” is CEO and board chair, and shapes camp culture, theology, and staff selection.
- Pete Newman Scandal: Pete Newman, originally being groomed as White’s heir, was a director and serial predator; he ultimately received three life sentences for sexual assault of minors, but only after years of ignored “red flags”—including naked activities, sleepovers, and making child exploitation materials—were swept under the rug.
- Culture of Protectionism: Rather than cooperating with authorities, Kanakuk staff made perpetrators sign “contracts” promising not to repeat boundary-breaking behaviors and minimized abuse as “boys being boys.” They shielded predators and avoided legal/criminal consequences for years.
“What normal person needs a document like that? … They made him [Pete Newman] take a test, and then they made him sign a contract to spend more time with his wife, not so much time in the hot tub.” – Elizabeth (39:28)
- Massive Cover-ups: Kanakuk allegedly colluded with insurance companies, hired crisis PR firms, spent millions on NDAs, and aggressively moved to silence survivors and protect its reputation.
3. Scale of Abuse, Victim Silencing, and Institutional Complicity
(47:27, 56:24, 62:10, 75:01, 80:18, 92:43)
- Scale: Elizabeth’s investigation uncovered 75+ known perpetrators connected to Kanakuk between the 1950s and the present, thousands of victims (just one perpetrator, Pete Newman, had an estimated several hundred to 1,000+).
“Pete’s one of over 75 perpetrators affiliated with Kanakuk that we’ve uncovered… with allegations dating back from 1958 to very recently.” – Elizabeth (47:27)
- NDAs as Weapons: Victims, some children as young as 7, were pressured into signing restrictive, traumatizing NDAs as part of civil settlements—often by their own lawyers. One family, the Alarcons, resisted and were threatened with federal sanctions.
“Kids should never be put under a contract. They can’t consent to contracts as minors.” – Elizabeth (61:15)
- Legal and Political Shields: Texas (until recently), Missouri, and many other states had archaic, short statutes of limitations—many survivors were forced into hasty, hush-money deals for treatment while abusers ran free.
- Therapist Collusion: Some camp-recommended/camp-paid therapists allegedly funneled victim disclosures to Kanakuk or their legal team; confidential therapy content was weaponized in depositions.
- Abuse of Church/Nonprofit Status: Kanakuk repeatedly restructured legal status (for-profit → nonprofit → Church nonprofit) to limit transparency, shield assets, and diminish liability.
4. Pattern of Systemic, Multi-Level Failure and Corruption
(74:17, 80:23, 82:13, 94:08, 105:16, 110:00, 120:00)
- Global Abuse and Questionable Missions: Kanakuk sent millions overseas (notably to Haiti, via Cross International) with little evidence of actual support for the children supposedly served; whistleblowers reported missing schools and connections to trafficking, even organ harvesting.
“So to all the KUK donors out there … you’re funding this organ harvesting of kids and sexual trafficking and sexual abuse and rape.” – Shawn (94:29)
- Failed Enforcement: Despite FBI, IRS, and other agencies being briefed for years, institutional inertia, jurisdictional gaps, and possible corruption stalled meaningful investigation and accountability.
“Since 2020…here we are in 2026, we’re doing Kanakuk’s job for them, we’re doing the FBI’s job for them, we’re going and finding these predators.” – Elizabeth (97:57)
- Insurance and Legal Establishment: Insurance companies, lobbying groups, and defense attorneys constructed a system where payouts and reputation management were prioritized over victim justice—lobbying for waivers, fighting statute reform, and funding cover-up tactics.
- “Industry Standard” Negligence: Many summer camps (especially faith-based) remained virtually unregulated: 15 states require no background checks; many require no licensure or evacuation plans; faith-based camps often exempt.
5. Expansion: Other Camps, Wider Industry Issues, and Legislative Responses
(170:21, 173:36, 175:24, 179:57, 188:06, 191:51, 192:52, 200:44)
- Camp Mystic Tragedy: On July 4, 2025, flash floods at Camp Mystic, Texas killed 27 young girls and their counselors after the camp failed to evacuate, following a “shelter in place” protocol.
“Their deaths were completely preventable… If that cabin had had a ladder to get on the roof, they’d be alive.” – Elizabeth (193:21)
- Parents Mobilize: Elizabeth and bereaved parents quickly organized legal and legislative campaigns leading to the Heavens 27 Camp Safety and Youth Camper Acts, requiring stricter licensing, transparent databases, actual evacuation plans, communication protocols, and removal of faith-based waivers.
- Pattern in “Troubled Teen Industry”: Abuse is rampant in “troubled teen” programs and other camps, with powerful business and cultural incentives blinding communities to their dangers.
- Solutions & Hope:
- Laws: Passage of Trey’s Law (TX, MO) outlawed NDAs in child sexual abuse/trafficking cases; further efforts underway in other states and at the federal level, with bipartisan sponsorship.
- Movement: “No More Victims,” “Campaign for Camp Safety,” resources for parents (“beforeyougotocamp.com”), and survivor networks gaining legal voice.
- Proposed systemic fixes: outlawing NDAs for minors, extending/reforming statutes of limitations, mandatory insurance best-practices, and parent/public pressure through informed choice.
- Research and Innovation: Support for prevention efforts (e.g. medication for pedophiles, improved screening, survivor-driven protocols).
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
Starting with Mission, Courage, and Faith
- “Thank you for being willing to have the conversation and to enter the darkness a little bit so we can expose it.” – Elizabeth (03:29)
- “[My work] started with my brother’s death… It’s so much bigger than Trey, so much bigger than me now.” – Elizabeth (06:06)
- “This is how we turn the tide. … Not very many people talk about it, but a whole lot of people listen.” – Shawn (07:37)
On Kanakuk
- “This camp has been around 100 years … 500,000 alumni and 50,000 staff. … It’s an empire, not some camp.” – Elizabeth (21:54/22:01)
On Systemic Abuse and Cover-up
- “We now know of perpetrators going back to the very first year they opened the girls camp.” – Elizabeth (55:01)
- “What normal person needs a document like that? … Spend more time with your wife, not in the hot tub with kids.” – Elizabeth (39:28)
- “Their crisis PR strategy was: it’s just one bad apple… We are now the safest camp in America because we’ve learned the hard way.” – Elizabeth (48:16)
On NDAs and Survivor Silencing
- “Kids should never be put under a contract. They can’t consent to contracts as minors.” – Elizabeth (61:15)
On International Scandal
- “To all the KUK donors out there… you’re funding this organ harvesting of kids and sexual trafficking and sexual abuse and rape.” – Shawn (94:29)
About Regulatory Failure
- “15 states don’t even require criminal background checks on summer camp staff… That’s not even how you catch the bad guys. That’s just a baseline.” – Elizabeth (171:56)
- “It attracts criminals. … Because there is no [oversight]. It is a… Oh, man. Yeah. Exactly.” – Shawn and Elizabeth (173:52)
Responding to the Camp Mystic Tragedy
- “I went and hugged my friend at her daughter’s funeral and I was like, this wasn’t your fault… These camps, I’m here if you ever want to talk about this. … And she said, ‘I know exactly what I’m calling you for.’” – Elizabeth (181:02)
- “Their deaths were completely preventable. … If that cabin had had a ladder to get on the roof, they’d be alive. If there had been any redundancy in the Internet connection… so much trauma.” – Elizabeth (193:21)
On Moving Forward
- “I don’t know what that looks like. I’ve thought about going to seminary. … But as long as they need me, I’m here. I don’t think you ever move on from loss. I think you move forward.” – Elizabeth (160:05)
Hope, Signs, and the Spiritual Aftermath
- “The veil between heaven and earth is so thin… I’m so convinced that when people leave this earth, their spirits are still with us.” – Elizabeth (227:51)
- [Story about the “Captain Pete” dream and a plant; serendipitous signs and personal healing.]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Introduction & Prayer: (03:29–04:23)
- Elizabeth’s “Sacred Honor” & Start in Advocacy: (06:06)
- Kanakuk Camp – History, Structure, Size: (14:13–22:01)
- Abuse Culture, Pete Newman, Cover-ups: (29:00–41:00)
- Disciplinary “Contracts” for Perpetrators: (39:28–44:38)
- Known Perpetrators, Number of Victims: (47:27, 56:24, 62:10)
- NDAs and Legal Coercion: (56:21–64:17)
- Therapist Collusion & Intimidation: (132:07–134:40)
- FBI/IRS Inaction, Legal Shielding: (74:17, 80:23, 97:57, 100:19)
- Haiti & Global Scandals: (82:13, 91:47)
- Camp Safety & Mystic Flood Tragedy: (179:57–193:21)
- Legislative Change and Parental Activism: (105:16–115:03, 192:52–200:44)
- Solutions & Hope: (211:37–221:46)
- Signs, Healing, and Moving Forward: (227:51–239:20)
- Final Call to Action (“Share this everywhere you possibly can”): (241:39)
Final Takeaways
- Elizabeth’s Courage: Her work is built on agony, love, and a sense of sacred duty—“I just can’t unsee what I’ve seen… I will not shut up about it.”
- Systemic Rot: Institutions, from camps to churches to insurers, have repeatedly chosen self-preservation and profit over the lives and voices of children.
- Real Change Is Possible: Laws are changing—because survivors and parent-advocates refuse to be silenced.
- Vigilance Is Essential: Parents, lawmakers, and donors must ask hard questions, demand transparency, and vote with their dollars; cultural complacency is a predator’s best friend.
- Healing Is Possible, and Hope Persists: Despite devastation, survivors and their allies are rewriting the script, building community, and finding purpose.
Call to Action & Resources
- Facts and resources for parents: beforeyougotocamp.com
- No More Victims (Elizabeth’s advocacy): No More Victims (link not provided)
- “Facts About Kanakuk” Whistleblower Site: factsaboutkanakuk.com
- Support Trey’s Law and State-Level Reforms: Contact your representatives about abolishing NDAs, reforming statutes of limitations, and improving youth organization oversight.
- If you are impacted or want to help: Share the episode widely and demand accountability.
For Survivors and Families
“The most poignant memory… was when I got to tell that student… September 1st. Two words: Be free. … He’s free.” – Elizabeth (159:52)