I came across the first episode of the current series of “Brat Camp” purely by chance. I think it was my horror at the level of aggression and profanity shown by “the brats” along with a fascination as to how they might somehow be tamed that prevented me from immediately turning the television off.
Redemption is said to be good for the soul and the prospect of these “ladies” being redeemed had me totally hooked from the start. However little did I appreciate what a deep emotional impact the story of their journey was to have upon me and cause me to reflect on certain aspects of my own life.
Whilst my teenage years passed many decades ago, without the benefit of very firm parenting I may well have found myself in a similar situation, so I totally empathised with their situation. For all their initial bravado they were five thousand miles away cut off from home, in an alien environment and totally on their own. Aged 15 in such circumstances I likewise would have been inconsolable and shed many a tear.
It was a courageous step to take (for all producers talk about being “sent to Brat Camp” it had to be a voluntary step) and all credit to them for not only taking that step into the unknown, but also in the process exposing themselves to the unforgiving camera and resultant wider public scrutiny. Who knows how many other teenagers may have benefited from watching and learning from this series.
My observations are of course based on viewing the programs and I accept they may not reflect reality, so apologies if I have misjudged you brats! Poetic license on the part of the producers I guess is to be expected!
There initially appeared, especially during the back ground filming and their orchestrated arrival at Salt Lake City Airport a tendency for “the brat’s” to play to the camera. However reality quickly struck especially Poppy, who for all her initial aggression, reverted to a more child like persona and wanted to speak to her mother. Likewise Danni shocked when confronted by the reality of a strip search and for once unable to run away and having to deal with the situation. Julia’s reflective pondering of “how my life had been reduced to this”. I so totally felt their raw emotion, shock and pain.
I’m convinced that they did not appreciate how hard the process was going to be perhaps believing that they could opt in and out as they wished. This was amply demonstrated by Georgie and Danni in the initial “mouse” phase under the impression they could somehow escape to the sanctuary of a local based relative. I was most sympathetic to Julia, hollow faced, dark eyed and “hypo” as in the absence of her regular spliff she went through “cold turkey”.
My impression was that Rosie was very receptive to help, Lydia had decided that the only way out was total compliance and Poppy was stunned to have finally met people who did not back down. The surprise was Lucy, initially receptive but who after some weeks went totally off track – what aggressive energy, if only if could be harnessed in a constructive manner!
I closely followed their progress with rapt attention, enjoying the beauty of the scenery (admittedly not sharing the cold, the dirt and rain) appreciating their triumphs (“Rosie’s eating hot tonight”) sympathising with their tribulations (girls you should have left that cigarette butt alone just like Rosie observed) through to the crowning glory of their “graduation” day, which brought a lump to my throat and tears in my eyes.
Hi-lights of the series for me were;
Lydia, after her initial despair and shock at being sent on an unexpected “solo” rather than the anticipated graduation, regaining her composure and inner peace to reminisce about the simple pleasure she had re-found in her life like reading a book.
The total transformation of Georgie - I was very impressed, on her learning she was to graduate, with her mature homily to the group, appreciating the impact of her leaving on those remaining behind. Be strong Georgie and avoid the drugs (and tobacco!)
Poppy arriving as an immature, headstrong aggressive girl and returning home a calm mature young woman (with it has to be said a lot of patience from the group). No wonder her mother was delighted - “Poppy no longer demands at all, she requests”
The shock of Julia’s mother (as part of the graduation process in common with all parents she was spending a night out in the field with her daughter) on discovering exactly what she had subjected her daughter to and that there were no proper washing facilities. Also I loved Julia’s calm observation to her incredulous mother of (sic) “that is how it is” (I won’t mention the lavatorial comments!).
The total transformation of Rosie from surly teenager to focussed goddess. When near the end of the series, whilst being interviewed, she smiled her inner beauty shone and my heart melted making me yearn for my long lost youth. For those of you reading who still have your youth, appreciate and value it every day.
Once freed from the immediate addiction of the dreaded pot, the compassion and maturity of Julia comforting a tearful Poppy, despite her own disappointments. I think given her boarding school background she seemed the best able to cope with her absence from home. My perception was that she had probably had the least supportive family background and was struggling to find a purpose in life.
Disappointments
After a two and half month break some of the smokers are smoking again!
That the series did not last longer – I don’t think I can wait 12 months to find out how the brat’s progressed!
On a serious note, concern that Julia who at graduation seemed so at ease with the world and herself – what beautiful penetrating eyes she has, may have returned to the very drugs that she escaped whilst in Utah. I sincerely hope not, as to me this was the most unsettling aspect of the series and left me much troubled. I so desperately want her to succeed and make something of her life, as I feel she has so much to offer and gain.
Somewhat perversely I rather envied the brats and wished, given my current stressed life, I could have joined them and escaped to the wilderness and beauty of Utah for 2 months – am I to old, aged 42, to be a brat for the next series?
What a fantastic post! I loved reading your comments Alan! Personally i missed the first 2 episodes due to work but of what i did see gave me such thought and consideration for people in these situations. Compared to these girls i was an angel adolescent. But these girls made mistakes like everybody does and they put them right - hopefully now on the correct track to make a good life for themselfs! Again i loved your post - if only more people could post heart warming comments like this on this forum. Kayley xx
Glad you liked my post. I did wonder it may have been a bit deep for the forum, especially as the average age of the participants is much lower than mine!
Frankly the series made such an impression on me I had to commit to paper what was burning inside of me. Most unlike me (and men in general) to get so deep!
I have a thousand and one questions for the brats
e.g.
Were the film crew with you all the time or just "dropped in periodically?
Were there no washing facilities apart from the infamous "cups”?
Did they actually camp at 11,000 ft (or walk that high)?
It would be nice if one of the brats (sorry now famous young ladies) if they ever come on here could answer.
Hi Poppy – a nice surprise to hear from you and thank you for answering my questions.
That was quite an experience for you (and us!) and I hope you won’t think me patronising in saying that you really matured out there – no better illustrated than by your admission to the camera that “the world does not revolve around me sic (you) anymore”. Girl, you have most certainly grown up (I took until the age of 27!)
Tongue in cheek, I would have to say it was a big mistake you responding to my post as if I may, I have a lot of other burning questions for you. Seriously though, I hope you might consider answering some of them if you don’t consider them to intrusive – if they are then I apologise and ignore me.
I was intrigued as to how you actually came to be selected to appear on Brat Camp and what sort of selection process they use. I initially had a vision of a sort of “Operation Raleigh” selection day, but it then occurred to me that this rather defeated the object. After all if the prospective participants were motivated enough to turn up did this not indicate that perhaps they did not need any help? Was it by personal interview, purely on the basis of a video or testimony of affected parties?
The other thing that forcibly struck me was how unaware “the brat’s” (sorry as it seems somewhat demeaning to refer to you in such terms now you are all upstanding members of society) appeared to be as to the nature of the programme – were you all “sold a pup” and only told half the story?
For example the film clip of the initial processing immediately before you all went out into the field showed what appeared to be genuinely very upset girls (either that or there is a future in films for you all) – did you really have no idea that you would be drug tested, searched etc.?
I guess that must have been a really tough day for you all with you saying goodbye to your families, a long transatlantic flight and drive to the centre, processing and then dumped half way up a hill (I seem to recall Danni have a choice turn of phrase on discovering there were no proper tents, just plastic sheets – was it the “F bomb” word again?)
Were the camp staff in the field regularly rotated out and if so I wondered how this affected your ability to establish a working relationship with them (especially in the early days) or did you have a cadre of permanent staff with you for the entire period?
I would loved to know if you don’t mind to hear what constituted a typical day e.g. what time you had to rise, whether you struck camp and walked most days or whether you were allowed rest days. I bet the exercise did wonders for your physical fitness as well as the fresh air clearing all those smokers’ lungs!
I know this probably seems a daft question but you must have needed a haircut in two half months and I certainly did not see any ruined buildings, much less a hairdressers or someone wielding a pair of scissors.
Any way enough of me, I’ll end on the thought that there must be a book waiting to be written on your experiences. I would suggest a possible title of “I once was a brat, now I’m a star” written by Poppy
