Brat Camp


Brat Camp is a reality television 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 24 August 2007, it was announced that the show had been cancelled, along with shows such as Celebrity Big Brother and You Are What You Eat.

UK

There have been five UK series.
The format is distributed internationally by DRG and has been adapted in several territories.

Series 1

NameFromPublished problem
James FonféMarlowDrug issues
FranSomersetAnger issue
Rachel GreenbergLeytonAlcohol issue
Charlie MasonPutneyAnger issue
Tom PhilipsKidderminsterDrug issue
Dan LearySurreyDrug issue caused by depression

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 won an International Emmy Award for best non-scripted program. RedCliff Ascent spokesman, Stephen Schultz mentioned that "RedCliff Ascent is a treatment program, not a TV show". 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."

Series 2

NameFromPublished problem
Alex ParkinsLeicesterAlcohol issue, disrespectful, expelled from school and bullies her mother
Joe SheldrickSurreyDisobedience and disrespectful
Ed McAllisterBanburyDrug issue and stealing from family.
Jemma HenleyOxfordDisobedience, shoplifter and expelled from 3 schools
Xanthe LairdDevonCannabis use, alcohol issue and disrespectful
Jenni GreevySouthamptonAnger issue, disobedience and disrespectful
Josh MelvinFinchleyDrug issue, disrespectful and drug fuelled anger issues

Series 3

NameAgeFromPublished problem
Julia Krzyzanowska16DorsetDrug issues
Georgie Turnbull-Atkinson16CrawleyDrug issues as well as run-ins with the law
Lydia Rowlands16SouthamptonDrug issue as a result of being victim of bullying
Lucy Tyson15LancasterAnger issue, disrespectful and greedy
Danni Calardo-Thompson15LeicesterRunning away from home, alcohol and drug-issue
Rosie Raven15East LondonTruant, 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 8 February 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 that followed a girls-only group, Family Brat Camp, aired from 4 October 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.
NameFromPublished problem
Claire Sparrow, parents Dean and SandyEssexExpelled/suspended from 1 school
Amanda Kenny, parents Sandra and BillCroydonDrinking, stealing from parents
Rebecca Paramor, parents Mandi and MarkHebden BridgeDrug issue

Series 5

The fifth UK version aired October 2007. According to a statement on ANASAZI's homepage, 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.
NamePublished problem
Natasha Whitlock, mother Montanadomestic problems caused by overindulgence
Nicole Pear, mother Jackiefoul-mouthing, anger management
Chloe Weeks, mother Helendrug and anger-issue
Laura Wardman, mother Deldisobedience

USA

NameAgeFromPublished problem
Frank Hewitt16Sacramento, CaliforniaAnger issue
Lauren James17CaliforniaDrug issue as a result of death in the family
Isaiah Alarcon17CaliforniaAnger issue
Jada Chabot15Boston, MassachusettsDisobedience and dishonesty as a result of domestic violence.
Nick Thompson14Seattle, WashingtonAnger issue as a result of being teased because of his handicap. He attempted to stab his brother due to his jealousy.
Shawn Dreyfuss17CaliforniaStarted using cannabis after finding out that he was adopted. He then started stealing money from his mother.
Derek Ross14ArkansasADHD and destructive; refuses to take medication
Lexie McNulty17CaliforniaDepressed, hostile outcast as a result of being victim of molestation at the age of 12.
Heather Norton17VirginiaDrug issue as a result of adoption and wanting to be closer to her birth mother. Her birth mother had drug issues too.

Germany

Series 3

The production company searched for new candidates for a third season. 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 25 February 2009.
NameAgePublished problem
Chrissi Trommler15LifeStyle issue
Kevin Waechter16Being charged with assault, truancy
Jennifer Unger14Weak health by mother causing her to be too independent
Andreas Fuhrmann16Compulsive gambler
Linda Kalb16Street fighter
Moritz Mueller17Given 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 was called Van etter tot engel and was aired by RTL5 in the fall of 2006. Keith Bakker was the teenagers' head coach.
NameAgePublished problem.
Alexander Jansens15depressed
Demi Boogaard15Anger Issue
Donny Houtkooper15Anger Issue
Dormeshia Lucas15Anger Issue
Laurens Krantz17depressed
Maurice Claes17Alcohol issue, Internet Addiction Disorder
Roni Marqueringh17Drug 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, expressed concerns that the TV show sends a message to parents that a short period of "tough love" can resolve any problems.
The show also received some criticism for an incident in which a young woman was forced to strip to their underwear and then made to have a cavity search, the initial stages of which were implied but not shown.