Brat Camp – A Preview

They are teenagers are out of control. They cuss, they won't obey the rules, they break the law. They have issues ranging from drugs to promiscuous sex to violence. They range in age from 14 to 17. And their parents are desperate – and have had enough. They are taking them to the wilds of Oregon to SageWalk, The Wilderness Camp – otherwise known as Brat Camp.

For over 50 days these teenagers will confront their issues as they face the reality of life at the camp. They'll start with defiant attitudes, a backpack loaded with 40 pounds of gear and supplies, and a ten-mile hike in wild Oregon country. It's the first step in a journey that will change their lives forever. And we’ll be able to see it all on ABC.

The nine teenagers are as follows.

Lauren: Once a straight1A student, 17-year-old Lauren suffered tragedy when her father died when she was 11. Unable to deal with the grief, she sought refuge in drugs, and now smokes marijuana every day. She'll do anything to get her fix, and her mother is sending her to Brat Camp hoping she will give up drugs and face the reality of her father's death.

Jada: This 15-year-old is an aspiring singer who believes she's going to be a star. To her point of view, this means she doesn't need an education, so she refuses to attend high school. She's already dropped out of nine public schools and two boarding schools, spending her time throwing parties and experimenting with drugs, alcohol, and sex. Her parents are sending her to Brat Camp to get her motivated about her life and stop her compulsive lying.

Nick: Nick is a 14-year-old dyslexic who fights with his family. Always angry, he shows no respect to his father, cusses at his mother, and once pulled a knife on his twin brother. His parents have sent him to Brat Camp to force him to work out his anger issues.

Shaun: 17 years of age, Shaun is addicted to drugs and has stolen from his own mother in order to pay for them. He is frequently truant from school, and was adopted. His parents feel that abandonment issues over that is a factor in his problems, and hopes he will face them and gain self esteem at Brat Camp.

Heather: Another adopted child, Heather gave up her athletics and her innocence when she started hanging with the wrong crowd. Her life now centers on her drug use and running away from home. Afraid that she will end up like her birth mother – in a drug-induced coma – her parents have sent her to Brat Camp to prevent Heather from suffering that fate.

Lexi: Formerly a good student and equestrian, 17-year-old Lexi was molested by somebody she knew and trusted at age 11. Since then, she has sunk into depression and become verbally abusive to her parents. She is no longer interested in horses or her schoolwork. Her parents have sent her to Brat Camp hoping she will learn to deal with the secrets that haunt her.

Frank: At 15, Frank has serious anger issues and a lack of respect for authority. He was suspended from school for arguing with a teacher, and admits to being verbally abusive and furious with the world. He was sent to live with his uncle, a probation officer, and is now being sent to Brat Camp to learn how to deal with his anger.

Derek: The youngest person at age 14, Derek suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He is failing school and is verbally abusive to his parents. He is being sent to Brat Camp to learn discipline, respect, and self-control.

Issiah: 17-year-old Issiah is a punk rocker who is angry, smokes, drinks, and is obsessed with fire. Verbally abusive to his mother, he blames her for the divorce of his parents. Defiant and bitter, Issiah unleashes his rage by getting into fist fights at school, particularly with the “jocks.” His mother has sent him to Brat Camp to learn how to control his anger issues.

Brat Camp will air on ABC, starting with a two-hour premiere on Wednesday, July 13th at 8:00 (eastern). Its regular time slot is Wednesday at 9:00 (eastern).

Jeffrey Clinard lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his cats, Lam and Princess. He can be reached at realityfeedback@bookslv.com.