Brat Camp, Season Finale: The Final Challenge – Life

Previously, on Brat Camp, nine troubled teenagers were sent to SageWalk Wilderness Camp by their tormented parents. For forty days they have endured harsh conditions, faced difficult challenges, and confronted their darkest issues. Three graduated and were reunited with their families, but the remaining six learned they would be spending the holidays at camp.

Day 42 arrives, and the remaining six students are not happy. Christmas is two days away, and they won’t be with their families. Frank says Christmas is for families, but he doesn’t have one. It’s just him and his mom. Jada cries and says Christmas is her favorite holiday. She thinks she deserves to be home with her family. Derek admits he hasn’t learned enough and has to work on his communication. Shawn decides to work the program to the best of his ability.

However, there are some touches of the holiday at camp. Decorations are put up, and each camper draws a name for a Secret Santa for gifts. Glacier tells us that at this point, the staff tries to back away and let the students take care of each other more. However, before they can go home, they have to show that they can trust and respect each other. That’s the basis for the next challenge.

It’s a ropes course, which involving camping a tree and walking on a tightrope and holding others for stability. One camper holds the safety line, while another crosses the ropes. Jada is up first, and Flying Eagle asks her how long she can stay at SageWalk. She doesn’t know, but he tells her it will be as long as it takes. Jada tells us the ropes course was a metaphor for the hardships of camp life. In fact, everything is, but she doesn’t seem to buy it. Isaiah goes next, and Glacier tells us that he’s made a lot of progress since giving up his anger toward his mother. Shawn, while he has followed the camp rules, needs to show more of himself outside his comfort zone before he’s ready to go home. As he’s done rope courses before, he does it blindfolded. Glacier thinks that if he can keep it up, he will be successful in life after SageWalk.

Frank, who grew up without a father, has major trust issues. He goes next, though he tells us he considered blowing it off. He does it, and realizes he can accomplish anything. Lauren is next, and while she’s shown she can take care of herself, she still needs to trust others. Her support partner is Jada. She admits to thinking twice about it, but makes the attempt. However, she misses a rope and falls. Jada holds on, and Glacier sees it as a step forward for both girls.

Derek does not want to do the course. He admits he regretted not rappeling earlier, and is encouraged to do the ropes. Halfway up the tree, he stops. With some encouragement, he starts up again, but eventually climbs down. He’s afraid of heights. Glacier tells him that climbing up was a step. The field instructors have him climb on a short platform and fall off it using the same safety line as use on the ropes course. He’s still reluctant to do it, but finally does it. It’s another step.

Christmas Day arrives, with stockings hung by the camp, one for each student. It’s a first for Shawn - he’s Jewish and doesn’t celebrate Christmas. Homemade gifts are exchanged, and his is for Derek. He tells him he showed him patience, which was a better gift to him than what he has, which is frog made out of a tuna can. Isaiah receives a pouch from Lauren. Lauren tells us she’s grown to love all of them. Frank gets a hand crafted spoon from Isaiah. He thinks the camp is like having a family.

Day 56 arrives, and Jada wants to graduate badly. She’s annoyed by everybody, and hates the place. Flying Eagle arrives, and tells them there are severe storm warnings. However, there will still be some hiking done. The campers get their stuff, and then face their ultimate test. Lauren goes first, and he tells her to walk to the far ridge and the fire pit. As she walks, she hears voices. At first she thought was hearing things, but it turns out to be her mother. They embrace and her mother says she looks healthy. She thinks she’s ready for a new life.

Shawn is next, and is thrilled to see his parents. He runs to greet them, and more hugs are passed out. His mother hopes that he now has the strength to not use drugs anymore, and that he will get a job. Frank goes next, and his reunited with his mother. They hug, and she hopes they will communicate as a family now. She thinks SageWalk gave her back her son.

Isaiah’s brother and mom are waiting for him, and they have a happy reunion. His mom feels great in seeing the high spirit of her son. She thinks he’s ready to go home. Derek makes his trek, and tells us he learned he can accomplish things. He is thrilled to see his parents. His father believes Derek can focus on whatever he does.

Five of the remaining six have been reunited with their families, but one still remains - Jada. Flying Eagle questions if she’s ready to leave camp. He challenges her, and tells her the others have just graduated, but he doesn’t think she’s serious about working on herself. He asks her why she should graduate. She says she packed her things and cooked breakfast. She’s trying to have a positive attitude. He tells her he wishes she were at this point after the first week. She may have fooled her parents before, but she hasn’t fooled the staff, and at this point she’s just fooling herself. Jada asks if he was serious about the others graduating. He tells her he is, and leaves her. She looks shocked.

Glacier comes for her, and takes her on a walk with some of the other staff to discuss her options. She tells him she can’t handle it, and has a breakdown. She throws herself to the ground and starts crying. Glacier says she’s been in denial since day one, and to go home, she has to be honest with herself and accept responsibility for her actions. Flying Eagle asks her why she should graduate. Jada swears she’ll be a better person. She cries some more, and is sent off on her hike. She finally hears and sees her parents and rushes to great them. Her mother hopes she will be more responsible, and her dad is glad she made it through.