Red Cliff Ascent | Brat Camp History

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Brat Camp History

Many of you may be coming to our Website based on the airing of the TV Program "Brat Camp" on ABC. Brat Camp is a trademarked name for a television series that first aired in the UK in 2004. Please allow me to share some of the history associated with Brat Camp.

Twenty Twenty Television produced "Brat Camp" in the United Kingdom. They researched wilderness programs in the US and were referred to RedCliff Ascent as one of the best. They approached us and asked if we would be willing to allow them to make a documentary about the RedCliff experience.

Initially, we were very reluctant. Our primary goal is helping children and families develop healthy behaviors and positive relationships. We worried that the effectiveness of our program may be compromised if cameras were rolling. However, further conversations with the producers assured us that the privacy of our students and sensitivity to their specific treatment issues would be respected.

The exceptions to this protocol were the students from the United Kingdom who are the focus of this documentary. They, and their parents, agreed to allow the production team to have a very intimate look at their lives before, during, and after their stay at RedCliff. With these parents and students in favor of the documentary, and assurances by the production staff that our trust with remaining students and parents would not be violated, we agreed to the documentary.

Critical acclaim for the original "Brat Camp" (Filmed at RedCliff Ascent) was extremely positive. In 2004 the documentary was honored with an International Emmy Award, the highest award given in television, for Best Non-scripted Program.

The program was first aired in the UK followed by Australia, ABC Family Channel, and New Zealand. To date, feedback has generally been positive. We are extremely proud of the way this program showed the compassion, understanding and patience of the RedCliff staff.

Many parents have suggested that, even though they don't care for the name, (We don't either.) it has allowed them to fully appreciate what their teen went through and accomplished.

Since then, we respectfully turned down the second season of Brat camp in the UK. Once the original Brat Camp program aired in the US on ABC Family Channel, we were approached to do the American version produced by the ABC Network. Although, it was flattering, and potentially lucrative to be invited to participate in the US version on network television, we respectfully turned them down as well. A wilderness program in Oregon then took the opportunity. When all is said and done, RedCliff Ascent is a treatment program for teens and their families, not a TV show.

I hope this brief explanation minimizes any confusion surrounding the "Brat Camp" program. Please don't hesitate to contact me if there are any questions or concerns.

Stephen C. Schultz
RedCliff Ascent
steves@redcliffascent.com