Brat Camp, Episode 5: Rites of Passage

Previously on Brat Camp, nine teenagers were sent by their parents to SageWalk, the wilderness camp for at-risk youths. They found out there were sent on a sixty-day program, with a minimum of forty days. If the teenagers make progress and deal with their issues, they may be home for Christmas.

So far the youths have been stripped to a basic diet, forced into a disciplined routine of camp life, hiked long distances (including through a blizzard), rappelled down a cliff, and learned to make fire. More importantly, some have started to face their issues with the field instructors and therapists. Will this progress lead to them earning their return to their families in time for Christmas?

Day 31 begins, 10 days until Christmas. Glacier tells us the youths haven’t yet mastered the skills needed to survive on their own. What they don’t know is before the night is over, these skills will be critical to their survival. Jada still isn’t with the program – she thinks they are stupid and not realistic. The instructors start giving the youths a crash course on wilderness survival, setting them to work digging sumps and latrines. Isaiah isn’t impressed – he says he won’t ever be out in the wilderness alone. Frank agrees – he thinks the nature skills won’t help him at all. However, Nick and Shawn are warming up to it.

Bear gathers the teenagers and tells them to break down camp and gather everything they need. It will be another grueling hike. However, Derek shuts down and doesn’t pitch in. Bear tells him that if he keeps relying on people, soon there will be nobody left to help him. He tells him he’ll someday have to put up his own tarp and make his own fire. Derek scoffs and says it will be easy. Bear questions him, saying he can’t even put together his own backpack. Boulder tells us Derek is too dependent on the others, and they are going to force him to be more reliant on himself.

They start hiking, but aren’t aware they are going to an unfamiliar area, where they will be spending the next several days alone. It’s a hard hike through the slush and muck. Derek keeps stopping, and Bear tells him he needs to keep up. Boulder asks him if anybody has ever told him he has potential. Derek says he wants to be successful in life, and Boulder guides the conversation towards the current goals of camp life. Eventually, they arrive at a preliminary spot the campers think will be their home for the next few days. However, Bear tells them they won’t be building a fire or setting up camp. They’ll be put out on solo. The campers are shocked.

Glacier tells us that it’s one of the most intensive therapy forms the teenagers will experience. To graduate, they’ll need to spend three days and nights on their own. During this time, each youth will be forced to take a serious look at themselves. Bear tells them it will be a rite of passage, and informs them it will be a frightening experience. The campers aren’t happy with this turn of events, with Jada, Lexie, and Lauren sharing their thoughts. Wind tells each camper they will be issued a whistle for them to use if they are in serious physical danger. The instructors will come running if they use it, but Wind stresses it is only for danger or extreme terror. The youths are blindfolded, and put on silence (no talking). Glacier tells us that this is so the youths are forced to trust the instructors, and will have no idea where they are in the wild. Each camper will be hundreds of yards away from each other.

As they drop off Nick, Boulder tells us he’s least concerned about him. He knows how to make fire and shelter, and is invested in the program. Frank is dropped off next, and thinks it will be easy. He’ll just spend three days in his sleeping bag. No food, fire, he’ll just sleep. Isaiah is dropped off, and wonders how he’ll spend the time by himself. Shawn is dropped off and doesn’t think it’s cool – it’s like he’s naked. Boulder tells us that Shawn is best at thinking alone. Heather is dropped off and told to make camp at high ground. She tells us that she feels she’s in The Blair Witch Project. Lauren can’t believe she’s been dropped off. She wonders what she will do for light. Lexie is the next to be given a spot, and Wind tells us she’s worried about her. Lexie had a bad molestation experience, and could end up terrified. Lexie comments that she thinks she’s going to die. Jada is given her camp site, and Boulder worries about her. She’s been dramatic, and if she works herself up, she may panic. Jada tells us she’s going to cry. Derek is dropped off, and is immediately worried.

The moon sets early, and the youths struggle to set up their camps. Bear is the most worried about Derek. Indeed, Derek struggles to dig a sump. Wind tells us that he hasn’t shown any ability to take care of himself, and this should be a growing experience. Derek’s night is rough, with repeated statements that he needs his mommy and a lot of tears.

The next day brings new hope to all of the campers, even Derek. Frank thinks it’s utter freedom – he can just lie in the sun. He hasn’t set up any camp at all. Shawn has set up a shelter, and tells us that he’s reflecting on the path of his life and where he wants to go. He sees changes in his circle of friends once he’s home. Lexie tells us she had a lot of time to reflect on herself, and writes in a journal.

Glacier tells us that while the youths are by themselves, they are closely monitored by the instructors. The instructors reflect on each youth, noting Shawn is taking time to think. Frank has also been cool. However, Derek is floundering. They decide a quick visit to offer encouragement is in order. Glacier and Boulder make the trip and ask if he’s thinking about his mother. Boulder tells him a great deal of his success will depend on his self-reliance. Boulder tells him that he can’t call himself weak or he will be. They ask him about making a fire, and Derek says he’s going to do it. With that, the instructors leave, and Derek sets out to try to build a fire. He tells us he likes being by himself, but also wishes he were home. He says he needs to work harder. Boulder tells us that Derek getting self-reliant and focused is a huge step. Derek eventually gets fire.

The second night of solo comes, and most campers are calm and comfortable. However, Isaiah is too angry to sleep. He builds a fire and dismisses the other campers as punks with problems, and is planning a freedom party when he gets out. He also has a message for the parents watching at home – using language that won’t be repeated.