Brat Camp, Episode 3: No Way Out But Through

Last time, on Brat Camp, nine at-risk teenagers were dropped off by their parents at the SageWalk wilderness camp. Set in the desolate desert of central Oregon, the camp combines intensive therapy with strenuous physical activity in the hopes of turning young lives around. The youths didn’t come willingly and were shocked to find out the length of time they would be at camp. So far, Frank has been hostile, Jada has been crying, and while Lexie is starting to confront her issues, Derek has shut down.

Day 15 begins with the campers resisting authority. Glacier tells us that if the more rebellious members, such as Jada and Frank, don’t start showing respect, the field instructors risk losing control of everybody. Both of them complain that Bear is on their case, but he says it’s because they aren’t doing what they are supposed to. Jada tells him he aggravates her, and in return, she aggravates him. Glacier tells us that isn’t acceptable and won’t be tolerated. Bear says they need to follow the rules. He’s going to be a cop today, and Jada tells him she despises cops. He’s ready for it. He tells the group that they are going to be responsible for what they do, and consequences will be enforced. All of them signed a contract to follow the ten rules, but they disregard them whenever they can. That’s going to change.

Bear tells them to get all their water bottles for a water run. They head out, and Glacier tells us one of the rules is “No Low Talking.” This means campers cannot hold conversations out of earshot of the field instructors. It’s designed to keep the youths from ganging up on the staff. Jada doesn’t think the rule applies to her as she starts mentioning she sees car lights and hears horns. In confessional, she talks about running away to the road and hitchhiking out of the area. Wind catches her and reminds her of the rule. Wind, Bear, and Glacier go off and discuss that the campers are considering running. They note that Isaiah is wearing a face mask, and worry about him running away.

Isaiah’s mother tells us about his anger issues, and how he treats his younger brother and hits walls. Sometimes he leaves without permission. He tells us he doesn’t take %&#$ from anybody. At camp, he brandishes a stick and talks about hitting everybody with it and taking off. Bear tells us there are two types of kids who run - impulse runners who get caught up in the moment, and the intelligent ones, who plan their escapes. They watch and wait for opportunities to run off. Bear tells us running away is not only against the rules, it’s dangerous. They may get lost without food or water.

Frank wanders off to the staff area, and Bear tells him to come back. He says he was just looking for a digging stick, but Glacier reminds him to never go near a staff area. Glacier says they worry about him running off or getting into a fight. Isaiah asks Boulder if he can “water a bush.” He gets permission, but when they go of, they must yell out their number every 30 seconds. Isaiah goes off, and responds once to his number (nine), but then he stops. Glacier and Boulder run off after him. They catch up to him, and Isaiah claims to have felt sick. It was probably a false alarm - this time.

The next item up on the program is teaching the students discipline and respect for their elders. Wind tells everybody to form a straight line behind Frank. They give some lip, but do it. Turns out there will be a change in field instructors. Wind and Bear are going back to town and will be temporarily replaced by two fresh ones. This prevents manipulation of the instructors by the campers and provides rest for the regular field instructors. The Earth names of the two new instructors are Shimmering Aspen and Fire Shaper (hence force known as Aspen and Shaper). Glacier tells us that Aspen is hardline and strict, and takes a more aggressive approach, while Shaper is strict with the rules. Lexie tells us that the staff rotation is scary - they had 15 day to bond with the old ones. Frank doesn’t like any of the instructors, and the new ones are no different.

Around the campfire, Aspen talks about having her own issues at age 15. In confessional, she tells us she noticed disrespect. Frank is the first to test the limits of the new instructors. He asks for a snack, but is denied because the group broke the rules earlier. He complains, and Shaper confronts him. He tells them there is a group dynamic - if the group breaks the rules, everybody suffers.

Day 17 breaks, and Glacier tells us that nobody is where they should be in the program. They should be listening to the instructors and confronting emotional issues. It’s time for a wake up call. Glacier tells them the goal is to go home before Christmas, but in his opinion, nobody is going to make it. The campers are upset, but they haven’t heard anything yet. Glacier tells Jada she’s not going to be a movie star. The drama isn’t working. Lexie, despite being the most fun at the start, doesn’t have the fire and passion now. He tells Isaiah he still has major issues about why he is there, as well as with his mother. He needs to work on adjusting and adapting. In confessional, Isaiah is still defiant, telling us that Glacier “blows and sucks.”

Glacier turns to Derek, and tells him he needs to focus. His journal writings show he’s smart, but he needs to start using that. Shawn needs to look at why he’s there, and Frank sometimes scares him with his anger. Glacier wonders if Lauren is looking inside herself and tells Heather is flying under the radar. She came in hung over. In confessional, she talks about running away.

Glacier says the campers may hate his guts, but he’s there to help them grow. Aspen tells us the youths have potential, but right now it doesn’t look like they are going home for Christmas.

Therapists arrive, and reads the “desperate” letters to home. Larry, Shawn’s adopted father, reads his, and learns about how hard it is out there, and how low the temperature is. Wanda, mother of Lexie, finds out that she is ticked off at her parents, but misses them as well. She cries herself to sleep because she misses their kisses. Nick’s mother, Lynne, reads an impassioned plea about how he can’t do it anymore. He cries at night, and wants to go home. He claims he learned his lesson. Glacier says it’s a “rescue” letter. They’re used to them.