Brat Camp

Brat Camp
Format Reality TV
Country of origin United Kingdom
United States
Production
Running time 1 Hr (with commercials)
Broadcast
Original channel Channel 4/ABC/BBC K
Original run July 13, 2005 – August 24, 2007

Brat Camp is a reality TV show.

The first season, featuring RedCliff Ascent, won an International Emmy. Subsequent seasons saw declining viewership. The American version of Brat Camp was cancelled after its one-season run, but is being aired in Canada on Slice as of early 2007. The UK version was also aired in the United States in 2004 on ABC Family, and its popularity resulted in ABC ordering an American version.

On August 24, 2007, it was announced that the show had been cancelled, along with shows such as Celebrity Big Brother and You Are What You Eat.

Contents

UK

There have been four UK series.

The format is distributed internationally by DRG and has been adapted in several territories.

Series 1

UK Series 1: Redcliff Ascent - Wilderness therapy
Name Published problem
James Fonfé Drug issues
Fran Bradley Anger issue
Rachel Greenberg Alcohol issue
Charlie Mason Anger issue
Tom Philips Drug issue
Dan Leary Drug issue

Redcliff was asked to be featured in a second round of Brat Camp, but declined when it became obvious that the next season would require tougher kids and increased drama. The first series actually won an International Emmy Award for best non-scripted program. RedCliff Acent spokesman, Stephen Schultz mentioned that "RedCliff Ascent is a treatment program, not a TV show".[1]. James Fonfe' became quite a media icon after his return to the UK. While most students struggle a bit upon return home, a year later James was working with his mother teaching swimming and had been drug free, as verified by urine tests administered by his mother. As James put it: ‘You do feel trapped. But it is worth it. I am glad I did it. I wouldn’t go back now, but I don’t have a problem any more – if I had a problem in the future then I would go back.’ [2]

Series 2

UK Series 2: Turnabout Ranch - Residential treatment center
Name Published problem
Alex Parkins Alcohol issue
Joe Sheldrick Disobedience
Ed McAllister Drug issue, stealing from family caused by deaths in family
Jemma Henley Disobedience, shop lifter, expelled from 3 schools
Xanthe Laird Cannabis use, alcohol issue
Jenni Greevy Anger issue, domestic violence
Josh Melvin Drug issue

Series 3

UK Series 3: Aspen Achievement Academy - Wilderness therapy
Name Age Published problem
Julia Krzyzanowska 16 Drug issues
Georgie Turnbull-Atkinson 16 Drug issues as well as run-ins with the law
Lydia Rowlands 16 Drug issue as a result of being victim for bullying
Lucy Tyson 15 Anger issue
Danni Calardo-Thompson 15 Running away from home, alcohol and drug-issue
Poppy Olsen 15 Disobedience, acting spoilt, careless
Rosie Raven 15 Truant, depressed as a result of being victim of bullying.

The third series followed a girls-only group with the principal activity being a single extended hike. This series aired from February 8, 2006 on Channel 4. In addition, Brat Camp Unseen, a half-hour show with additional footage, was aired on E4.

Series 4

The fourth series, Family Brat Camp, aired from October 4, 2006, and brings along the parents of the four children to make them take responsibility for their kids' behaviour at the SUWS wilderness program in Idaho.

UK Series 4: Aspen Family Camp, Idaho - Wilderness therapy
Name Published problem
Claire Sparrow, parents Dean and Sandy Expelled from school
Amanda Kenny, parents Sandra and Bill Drinking, stealing from parents
Rebecca Paramor, parents Mandi and Mark Drug issue

Series 5

The fifth UK version aired October 2007. According to a statement on ANASAZI's homepage[3], a special 21-day version of their normal 42-day program is being developed for television, after which Twenty Twenty Television will fund the remainder of the treatment if the parents and clinical staff consider it necessary.

UK Series 5: ANASAZI Foundation, Arizona - Wilderness therapy
Name Published problem
Natasha Whitlock, mother Montana domestic problems caused by overindulgence [4]
Nicole Pear, mother Jackie foul-mouthing, anger management
Chloe Weeks, mother Helen drug and anger-issue
Laura Wardman, mother Del disobedience

USA

US Series: SageWalk, Oregon - Wilderness therapy
Name Age Published problem
Frank 16 Anger issue
Lauren James 17 Drug issue as a result of death in the family
Isaiah Alarcon 17 Anger issue
Jada Chabot 15 Disobedience and dishonesty as a result of domestic violence (Beaten by her mother according to police report from Middletown, RI - Case number 21-2005-01720). During the show use drugs, alcohol and sex were insinuate. She had also been expelled from schools.
Nick 14 Anger issue as a result of being teased because of his handicap (dyslexia). He attempted to stab his brother due to his jealousy.
Shawn 17 Started using cannabis after finding out that he was adopted. He then started stealing money from his mother.
Derek 14 ADHD and destructive; refuses to take medication
Lexie 17 Depressed, hostile outcast as a result of being victim of molestation at the age of 12.
Heather 17 Drug issue as a result of adoption and wanting to be closer to her birth mother. Her birth mother had drug issues too.

Germany

Series 1

German Serie 1: Turnabout Ranch - Residential treatment center
Name Published problem[5]
Vanessa Alcohol issue, too much partying
Simon Drug issue, stealing from parent
Marvin Gang problem, alcohol issue
Gina Alcohol issue, alternative lifestyle issue (Punk SubCulture)
Gerrit Numerous accounts of malicious damage
Daniel Truant, not been at school for a year

Series 2

German Serie 2: Catherine Freer - Wilderness program
Name Age Published problem[7]
Andreas E. 15 Serial burglar
David P. 17 Drug issue
Dzeneta B. 15 Street fighter
Kevin O. 15 Gang-member
Kurt D. 16 Political issue (Neo-nazi)
Pascal S. 17 Drug dealer
Stacy G. 17 High School drop-out
Vivien T. 16 Runaway

Series 3

The production company searched for new candidates for a third season [8]. Filming did take place during the summer of 2008 at a wilderness program called Monarch Center in Colorado. It will be broadcast at RTL starting from February 25, 2009 [9].

German Serie 3: Monarch Center Colorado - Wilderness program
Name Age Published problem[10]
Chrissi 15 LifeStyle issue (Punk SubCulture)
Kevin 16 Being charged with assault, truancy
Jennifer 14 Weak health by mother causing her to be too independent
Andreas 16 Compulsive gambler
Linda 16 Street fighter
Moritz 17 Given up by his parents. Faces trial.

Netherlands

The Netherlands version did after extended negotiations end up with a customized program, where the teenagers were sent to Kenya. It is called Van Etter tot Engel [11].

Netherlands - Customized wilderness program in Kenya
Name Age Published problem[12].
Alexander 15 depressed
Demi 15 Anger Issue
Donny 15 Anger Issue
Dormeshia 15 Anger Issue
Laurens 17 depressed
Maurice 17 Alcohol issue, Internet Addiction Disorder
Roni 17 Drug issue, has been arrested by the police

In the news

The UK version of the show generated some criticism. An influential children's charity Barnardo's are concerned that the TV show sends a message to parents that a short period of tough love can resolve any problems.[13]

Also this program caused some controversy over whether or not children and teenagers displaying signs of depression & low self esteem would be better placed in a mental health support services and given professional, psychological support, rather than sent to the wilderness and experience further punishment as methods of treatment.

Notes

  1. ^ "When the cameras are rolling" Addiction professional, January/February 2006
  2. ^ From the wilderness to the right track, Channel 4 at 25 book
  3. ^ Anasazi press release
  4. ^ I'm Brat from the brink, By Melanie Swan, People. Co.Uk, October 21 - 2007
  5. ^ RTLII page about the program, (In German)
  6. ^ Job ad from Aspen Education Group
  7. ^ Lebenshilfe mit RTL: Neue Staffel "Teenager außer Kontrolle", (In German)
  8. ^ Add for families (In German), homepage of the production company
  9. ^ RTL Zuschauerservice, RTL homepage (In German)
  10. ^ Lebenshilfe mit RTL: Neue Staffel "Teenager außer Kontrolle", (In German)
  11. ^ Nederland version
  12. ^ Die Kandidaten, (In Dutch)
  13. ^ Charity hits out at Brat Camp message (inthenews.co.uk)

See also

Intervention (TV series)

Teen escort company

External links