Brat Camp

Luba · 07-17-2005, 10:42 AM

I'm not into Reality shows, there are so many of them except for the new one that premiered last Wednesday night to be followed by several more episodes, is my understanding.
It's about very troubled teens sent to a camp in the desert to teach them to become responsible adults. The kids have to go through very rigorous tasks, and the runaways, compulsive liars, drug takers, abusers are all falling apart and wanting to be with their families that were driven to put these kids in this Camp.
If any of you have watched the first two hour episode, what do you think? I, for one, am going to watch it right to the end. It is really giving these troubled kids a reality check on their lives, I'm totally intrigued by it!

Star · 07-17-2005, 11:25 AM

I haven't seen it in fact, i only heard about it today on a another forum.

the idea is awesome! I wish there was a place like that available for my oldest daughter. I think that by the end of these kids journey, they'll be on the right path. it's a fantastic idea. these kids need something other then a slap on the wrist.

Duke · 07-17-2005, 12:06 PM

I wonder what kind of disclaimer you have to sign before you end up in the program?

I think it is a fantastic idea, anything that forces kids to stay on a straight path is a good thing IMO.

Paul · 07-17-2005, 05:26 PM

What is it called? I may watch it, I just don't know the name.

Star · 07-17-2005, 06:02 PM

it's called brat camp and it's on wednesday nights at 9 pm. I'll be wathcing it too.

TZummer · 07-18-2005, 01:01 AM

I've read some horror stories about some of these camps, but I take what I read on the internet with a grain of salt unless it's from a reputable news source.

I didn't see it, but I wanted to, I just forgot to set the Tivo.

Vautrin · 07-18-2005, 12:33 PM

Can't see the show, but I am not too thrilled by it.

Over here it seems to be getting a bigger and bigger problem. The problem is of course, that when you go outside you are almost automatically qualified as a problem child. Whenever you do something in a public space, it is causing someone a "disturbance." People complain very quickly about teenagers hanging around, but they refuse to address the problems of teenagers, and listen to their wants. In short it is quite often a problem created by the parents, and not by the kids themselves.

It is easy to blame the kids, and not those who hold responsibility in the communities. Not to say that the blame lies solely with this or that group, but as always politicians refuse to take the responsibility for their own actions, leaving parents and kids behind in terrible situations.

Duke · 07-18-2005, 11:01 PM

That sounds like a bit too much of a generalization to me. Granted that many parents are responsible for the way their children turn out, but what about the child that was given guidence and still became a rotten apple?

You should come to Vancouver some time and it'll make you sick to see all the gang related crime we have to endure here. I have no sympathy for any of these little turds that wreak havok with no fear of punishment.

Star · 07-19-2005, 05:47 AM

we have a lot of those down here too duke and i feel like you do; no sympathy for those kids who did have guidance but choose to live life this way. We have too many kids like that out there. Brat camp would be an excellent place for kids like that. Teach them some respect.

Luba · 07-19-2005, 07:49 AM

I'm looking forward to tomorrow night's episode when some try to run away from the rules they have to abide by. Last week they had a strict time limit to get ready and their packs on for the long hike, and if they didn't get ready in time, they had to do it over and over again until they did. They were crying for their homes right away, and yet when they did film them at home it was just heartbreaking watching the parents have to do this for their kids, as this was their final resort!
There was a breakthrough for one tough girl who admitted to being molested at a young age, but they still have a long way to go. They are supposed to be at Brat Camp for at least 40 days, but one of the Counselors told them it might be longer if they didn't work at it.
Since it was the kids' first Thanksgiving away from home, they did get surprised with a turkey dinner and pumpkin pie and the appreciation after their long hike and their sleeping arrangements, and showering in a tube-like arrangement in the desert, and having to dig a hole for their "functions" and then cover it up!
I can hardly wait to see how these kids wind up after this Camp, I hope to watch or tape every episode!

Star · 07-19-2005, 10:30 AM

they want to go home because they can get away with everything at home. I like the idea that they have no choice but to stay there and abide by rules and do hard things.

The problem i have with my oldest is her wanting to live life with no rules. I'd LOVE to send her to brat camp!! they really should make this an available punishment in all cities for kids like these.

I'm looking forward to watching it for the first time tomorrow night.

Merika · 07-19-2005, 11:51 AM

I wonder if I could get a 2 for 1 discount...... :cooldance:

Vautrin · 07-19-2005, 01:03 PM

Guidance is more than giving people information about all kinds of subjects. Think of sexuality, STDs and risks of pregnancy - how many of you received guidance about that, and thought "That is right!"? You can't control which friends a kid makes, but you can to a large degree control in whom they take an interest as potential friend.

Seriously, from the few things you described of brat camp, I do know for certain that I would hate that place, and fail utterly and miserly, without caring a single iota about it.

Frankly the thought of using something like this (for national television, mind you!) as a punishment scares the crap out of me. Are you interested in being broadcast in every single movement you make inside the house, or wherever you are? I can think of just as much reasons, why we should do that.

It makes the people a lot more aggresive - they just have to hide it. I would not be surprised if most of these kids would turn out even worse than they are now.

Duke · 07-19-2005, 01:06 PM

It's better than jail or murder IMHO.

Star · 07-19-2005, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vautrin

you can to a large degree control in whom they take an interest as potential friend.

as parents, there isn't much we can control and this isn't one of those things. Not when you have a child who wants to live life with no rules. been there, didn't work.

Quote:

Seriously, from the few things you described of brat camp, I do know for certain that I would hate that place, and fail utterly and miserly, without caring a single iota about it.

you were a good kid though. you didn't need to be put on the right track. these kids do and they will care. These things work with kids who are at extreme which these kids are at.

Quote:

Frankly the thought of using something like this (for national television, mind you!) as a punishment scares the crap out of me. Are you interested in being broadcast in every single movement you make inside the house, or wherever you are? I can think of just as much reasons, why we should do that.

This is a last resort for these parents to help their children who are headed for a life of doom. The embarassement alone will do wonders for their attitudes. It's like taking your family to dr. phil or oprah to get help. same thing. Personally, I couldn't do it myself but, if I could send my daughter I would. she's an extreme case just like these kids on the show are.

Quote:

It makes the people a lot more aggresive - they just have to hide it. I would not be surprised if most of these kids would turn out even worse than they are now.

jail would make them even more agressive and they'd end up being prison flies as adults. I really do think that this brat camp thing is an excellent thing and it will change these kids for the better. they're going to realize that there are rules they have to abide by in daily life. they will learn respect both for themselves and others.

you know, most people have no idea what it's like to have a child like these kids. you can't possibly know until you have one. there isn't any help out there for parents to kids like these, none. this brat camp is giving these parents some hope that their child won't end up in jail or worse, dead.

I can't wait to see these kids at the end of it all. I bet they'll be totally changed for the better. this is a great reality check for them. we'll just have to wait it out and see the outcome.