- 2 days ago
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00:00MUSIC
00:20Four weeks ago, seven teenage girls arrived at a top American brat cat,
00:25sent by their parents to sort out their problem behaviour.
00:30Spoiled brat.
00:34I have got my own way for my life.
00:37Violent rages.
00:39So, like, my mum and dad were driving, right, in the car,
00:41and then they crash, and then I get lots of money.
00:44Isn't that good?
00:46Lazy stoner.
00:47Basically, I'm addicted to cannabis.
00:50Work a lot.
00:52Truant.
00:54I go to school if it's a good week about twice.
00:58Runaway.
00:59I've got no idea. I was told to run away from home.
01:02Complete dropout.
01:04I've been to three secondary schools,
01:06and I've been asked to leave from all three.
01:09Arrested ten times.
01:11I haven't done anything wrong.
01:13It's just a big misunderstanding.
01:15Their new home is Aspen Achievement Academy,
01:21a tough single-sex rehabilitation programme for wayward teenagers
01:25in the middle of the Utah wilderness.
01:28It's been a difficult first month.
01:31You're all in my fucking face, right?
01:35And you're all fucked up.
01:37There have been tears.
01:39I want to go home.
01:40Would you please ask me, please?
01:42And my mum will get me home.
01:44No.
01:45Tantrums.
01:46I don't want to be here anymore.
01:48I just want to go home.
01:49And escape attempts.
01:51This is super, super serious.
01:53And two of the girls have had to be separated from the main group.
01:57We want to put Poppy on quest.
01:59And it won't happen again.
02:00I really promise.
02:01Just give me the benefit of the doubt and I'll prove it to you.
02:04Despite the protests, things are only going to get harder.
02:08And these girls could be here for months.
02:11They won't be going home until they can satisfy the camp that they've changed.
02:16I hate the fucking stuff here.
02:18Do you know what I mean?
02:20A bunch of hippies who need to go back to the 70s.
02:27At Aspen, a daily dose of hiking is non-negotiable.
02:38Since they arrived, the girls have struggled across more than 80 miles of wilderness,
02:43at altitudes as high as 11,000 feet.
02:48Today, the trail is getting even tougher.
02:51One month in, and Aspen's staff won't help out.
03:11They want the girls to start taking some responsibility.
03:15I can't move my ankle at all.
03:18You were walking on it fine.
03:20Like you were walking on it.
03:21And we're not saying that you're not in pain.
03:23I've just fallen back down the thing and twisted my ankle.
03:25Do you expect me to carry on rock climbing?
03:28I can't put new weight on my leg.
03:31What do you want me to do?
03:33We came down to get your pack.
03:35Be British and stand up.
03:37Georgie's stepping in to play the Good Samaritan.
03:40Then how have our pack going to get to the site?
03:42We are nowhere near.
03:43Well, me and Rosie can take a hand out of the pack each.
03:47Let me help you out.
03:49Helping out hasn't come easily to Georgie.
03:52Don't threaten anyone with that stick, all right?
03:56When she arrived at camp, she was the centre of rebellion.
04:00I will kill them with that fucking stick.
04:03And as well as getting angry, she was determined to run away.
04:07Georgie, can you hold up, please?
04:11Stop it!
04:12Stop!
04:13Georgie, my...
04:14This is just getting stupid.
04:16But after a month in the wilderness, her attitude is starting to change.
04:20She couldn't stand up.
04:22She was going to get pissed off.
04:23Stupid.
04:24It's just so much easier to avoid it.
04:26So if that involved me taking my pack up and helping her,
04:29then that saved her and the group, a lot of agro.
04:32I hope she did it for me.
04:34That's it.
04:36To see Georgie actually hopping and almost running back down the hill
04:40to help physically carry Danny and her pack
04:43was inspirational and exciting for me
04:47and hopefully for Danny and the rest of the group as well.
04:51I think it says a lot for the direction that this group is moving
04:55and the progress that they've made.
04:57Poppy and Lucy aren't even allowed to be with the other girls.
05:10For the past week, they've been together on quest,
05:14a separate group for those who are failing to make the grave.
05:18Poppy was put on quest for being disrespectful to staff and the other girls.
05:27Despite not being allowed to talk to Lucy and being put on basic rations,
05:31she's trying to paint a rosy picture of her demotion.
05:35The quest is fine and I'm enjoying it more than I am enjoying it.
05:38I enjoyed the group because it's just more quiet and more relaxed.
05:42And me and Lucy don't really get to talk to each other.
05:44We haven't had really a sentence.
05:46So it's fine. I'm enjoying it.
05:50But it seems that Poppy's actions speak louder than her words.
05:55Can I have a hand, please?
05:56I'd like you to try it.
05:57I can't really reach anything around me, so please, grab a hand.
06:00There's a rock right under you.
06:01Poppy, I want you to try this.
06:04I know it's tough.
06:05Yeah, I did it last time and it hurts.
06:13Please, can I have a hand?
06:15You have a flower on your head.
06:20You can do this.
06:25Why are you walking away?
06:27Not getting her own way is a new experience for this spoiled brat.
06:33Back home in Sussex, Poppy's parents aren't missing their demanding daughter.
06:39Poppy being away has allowed Bea and I to talk properly.
06:45We're not conflicting with each other with the way we react to Poppy.
06:51When Poppy's at home, the house is so noisy.
06:56There are doors slamming.
06:57The music is literally blaring across the valley.
07:01With Poppy being away, everybody's had a chance to calm down, to relax.
07:07And it's a stress-free household at the moment.
07:12Ten, five.
07:14With Poppy's attitude showing no signs of improvement, the staff have decided on a new strategy.
07:21She's being reunited with the other girls.
07:24Poppy's return to the group is based on a big decision about Poppy individually.
07:28And that is that she needs to be part of a functioning group.
07:33She needs to observe a group, how it's supposed to be run.
07:36And we're at the point where our group is very well functioning.
07:42I can talk again.
07:45When Poppy was last with the group, she managed to turn everyone against her.
07:50Now she's hoping that relations can improve.
07:53It's quite hard fisting back in again because they looked quite happy as they were.
07:57So I was more worried about how they were going to react to anything else.
08:01And they reacted really well, so it was really good.
08:03But despite the warm welcome, not everyone's happy about the new arrival.
08:10I can handle her coming back, but there's going to be times when she's going to really piss me off.
08:14So I'm just not looking forward to having to handle them.
08:17It's not like it's our group, she is part of it.
08:20So I've just got to find a way to not think of killing her every time I look at her.
08:27The girls get to grips with a new routine.
08:30Watch that rock on that side, whoa!
08:33Whoa, Julie!
08:34It just totally takes the piss, it's like slave labour, do you know what I mean?
08:38And it's all too much for Lucy.
08:41Hey Lucy, are you ready to talk to me?
08:43I'm not talking to you, you're a fucking knobhead!
08:55It's been 24 hours since Lucy was left alone on Quest, and she's feeling hard done by.
09:01I really wanted to get back in the group, so it's really frustrating, and I just feel like, because I've been away from a group for over two weeks, I feel like I ain't getting nowhere, man.
09:11So I just want to like, I don't know, I just, I wish I could just leave whenever I wanted.
09:16But she only has herself to blame for how things have turned out.
09:22Do you not understand that we're fucked?
09:26Since she arrived at Aspen, Lucy's been unable to maintain even a basic level of compliance.
09:32See, there, don't fucking come near me!
09:35She's become so aggressive that she's had to be restrained for her own and the staff's safety.
09:42Hey, bitch, you're a fucking bitch, you know, you're a fucking psycho bitch!
09:48Once again...
09:50Hey Lucy, what are you doing?
09:52It looks like Lucy is losing control.
09:55Lucy, we can't see you!
09:58When I first saw her, she was going right towards the RV, so...
10:05When angry kids go AWOL, Aspen policy is to give them time and space to calm down.
10:14Physical restraint is a last resort.
10:17Don't come fucking near me!
10:20What's this, right here?
10:22Just fuck off!
10:24It was really spooky, and I can see that wank up there, but I don't know if anyone's coming behind me, and I'm getting really fucking paranoid.
10:31I don't want to be restrained again, I just want to go on, do you know what I mean? It's really fucking frustrating.
10:39If Lucy thinks she can get out of Aspen, she's wasting her time.
10:45No-one has ever escaped, and unruly teenagers have been kept on for up to six months.
10:50The staff are ready to wait for as long as it takes.
10:57While Lucy's looking for an easy way out, the group is facing its toughest test yet.
11:09For the next two weeks, they'll be carrying everything they have in a 200-year-old form of transport.
11:18We're carrying all of this in carts.
11:20And wood.
11:22Fantastic! I can't believe this!
11:24Could we put our packs in there as well?
11:26Oh, yeah!
11:27The philosophy behind the hand carts is an emphasis on teamwork and bringing the group together.
11:34Hiking can be kind of a solitary effort, and hand carts, it takes teamwork to get those things moving.
11:40They're very heavy. We go across some really tough terrain, so they're going to have to really come together as a group.
11:47Get out!
11:48The girls' enthusiasm doesn't last long.
11:52Each cart weighs up to a quarter of a ton, and how they cope will be crucial to their progress on the long road home.
12:03Yeah!
12:04Nice job, Rosie!
12:06Watch that rock on that side, whoa!
12:08Whoa, Julie!
12:10Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
12:11For Julia in particular...
12:12Hold up, hold up, hold up, hold up!
12:13...things aren't getting off to a good start.
12:15Julia, are you all right?
12:16Yeah!
12:17You sure? Hold up, you don't need to pick it right back up, take a second.
12:20Yeah, cart!
12:21Is he all right?
12:22I prefer hiking, because carting is too difficult.
12:25It just totally takes the piss, it's like slave labour, do you know what I mean?
12:28Well, I'm sorry about going into the sides, but...
12:31It was her habit of smoking 20 spliffs a day that landed Julia in the wilderness.
12:39With her daughter 3,000 miles away, Julia's mum, Anna, has found the strength to take a stance.
12:44If she continues taking drugs, I'm afraid she will have to leave the home, because I won't have her taking drugs and living with me.
12:55I'm afraid this is going to be some kind of final, ultimate consequences for her if she insists on taking drugs.
13:03But, one month in, Julia's still having major cravings.
13:09Are you noticing that your head is clear?
13:13Well, to be honest, no. If I just had like half a spliff, I'd be sound.
13:17I'd just like, everything would probably be sorted in my head.
13:19You're saying that smoking it is the way your head should be normally?
13:25Well, I know that's not true for all humans or whatever.
13:30For me, however, that seems to be the case. I don't like myself without it.
13:34OK.
13:36I don't like the way I'm thinking without it.
13:38It's not a mask or anything. It's not like I'm using it to run away or anything like that.
13:42I just, like, I'm a pot addict. And that's what I do. I just smoke all day.
13:49And I'm not planning to stop when I get out of here, because that's who I am.
13:53I don't like it here at all. I just want to go home. I don't want to have a spliff.
14:04It's been two hours since Lucy made a break for it.
14:08I'm going home no matter what, man.
14:09I've got to find my own way, though. That's a thing. I don't even know if you're going in the right direction.
14:15Hey, Lucy. Are you ready to talk to me?
14:19I'm not talking to you. You're a fucking knobhead.
14:22I can't hear you up here.
14:24I said I'm not talking to you. You're a fucking knobhead!
14:28OK.
14:30See what I fucking mean? I fucking take the fucking pitch.
14:33Given her mood and her track record, the staff have called in reinforcements.
14:40Why are you fucking here, you bitch!
14:45You can't be making tricks, OK?
14:46Fuck off. I can do what I fucking want.
14:49Maybe you can when you're home, but not while you're there.
14:51You ain't gonna fucking tell me what to do, you stupid bitch!
14:53Well, you're in Aspen, we will.
14:55I don't give a fuck. I'm not in Aspen.
14:57You're here. No, I'm not.
14:58You're in Aspen.
14:59Yeah, that's why I'm fucking going so I don't get told what to do by a fucking stupid bitch!
15:03Yeah, get the fuck off me, you fucking wanker.
15:06As soon as you let go of me, you're gonna be fucking dead.
15:09If you hit one of us, like, that's...
15:11That'll be good.
15:12...all the load of trouble that you're looking for.
15:14I don't care. I'm gonna hit fucking this wanker as hard as I fucking can,
15:19and I'm gonna fucking kick you, and I'm gonna fucking hit her,
15:22and I'm gonna fucking smack Andre.
15:25After 20 minutes, she finally calms down.
15:29So is this being calm?
15:30Yes.
15:32But her violent behavior can't go on.
15:37Therapist Lauren has been called in to speak to Lucy.
15:43So what's going on?
15:45I want to go home.
15:46I know you want to go home.
15:47It hasn't happened yet.
15:48I want to be with a group, and that's not happening,
15:50and I just feel I'm getting nowhere, so I gave up.
15:53Why do you think you're ready to go back to the group?
15:55Because I was trying, and I'm getting nowhere now.
15:57What have you been doing to try?
15:59Yeah, I was working on my anger.
16:01Here's the situation, okay?
16:02I want you to go back to the group.
16:04Are you serious?
16:05Why not?
16:06So let's talk about what it would look like you going back to the group.
16:09I think if I got back to the group, I'd cheer up a lot more and be more compliant,
16:14because I'd have my mates all around me.
16:16Okay.
16:17Do you know what I mean?
16:18It would be all right.
16:19Lauren's decision represents one final opportunity for Lucy.
16:24In my mind, Lucy likes to be in control, and she always has.
16:27And her thoughts were from the very beginning that she was doing better than Poppy,
16:31and when Poppy left, all of a sudden, she thought, this isn't fair.
16:35You know, I didn't get my chance.
16:37And so now we're giving her a chance, and it's hers to lose.
16:40In the wilderness, learning to be self-sufficient is crucial.
16:50Food cans double up as tin bars.
16:54We eat and barf out of these.
16:56We ate rice out of them last night, and we're barfing in them this morning.
17:01And every girl faces the frustrating task of making fire from just rocks and sticks.
17:07Long bow strokes.
17:09What's coming up?
17:10But Rosie's struggling.
17:12Are you tired?
17:13Not good.
17:14Why don't we take a break and come back to it?
17:16Yeah.
17:17I haven't done one yet, and it's quite frustrating,
17:19because you have to do one to eat hot as well.
17:22And, um, I just can't seem to get one, which is really annoying.
17:28It's not fair.
17:30It's not the first challenge that Rosie's faced at Aspen.
17:34On day nine, she was desperately wanting out.
17:38I don't want to be here anymore.
17:40I just want to go home.
17:42I hate all of you.
17:43I hate everything about this.
17:45It's just a load of crap.
17:46But one week later, she was dealing with the issues that have damaged her life.
17:51I haven't had my self-confidence since I was about six years old.
17:56And it just feels so good to have it back, and in the future I'd like to keep it.
18:02Today, Rosie must face up to the damage she's done to other people.
18:10So we're going to move on to the next activity.
18:15We happen to have an impact letter for Rosie.
18:18At Aspen, every girl receives an impact letter.
18:22A hard-hitting message from home about why they were sent to the camp.
18:26Rosie, I hope that you're honest and that you just sit with the feelings that come up.
18:32If there's ever a time when you're reading the part of the letter and you feel like you need to take some time,
18:37just fold the letter and take the space that you need.
18:40Okay?
18:42Back in East London, Rosie's mum knows this won't be an easy moment for her daughter.
18:47When Rosie receives the impact letter, it's going to be really tough for her because it's going to be a really sort of hard reminder
18:55of some of the issues that we were dealing with.
18:58And I do think she's going to find it hard to read.
19:03And because I've sort of put in more about how it's affected me,
19:08I think that's going to be new for her.
19:13For maximum impact, Rosie must read her mum's letter out loud.
19:18I've been asked to write this letter to put down in words how I feel about you and your behaviour.
19:24For the past three years, I feel things have spiralled out of control.
19:27And with how you choose to live your life, an effect it has had on us as a family.
19:32We have had graffiti painted on the front porch.
19:35We've had a gang steam the house and steal things, threats from people standing at the front door.
19:40I've lost count of numbers, number of times the police have been here.
19:44I'm unable to handle much more of this strain.
19:47I have wondered at times whether you really have any idea of the effect it has had on me.
19:52And your sister.
19:54I've also wondered if I would actually survive.
19:58That maybe the stress would kill me.
20:06Despite all this, I believe deep down that Rosie is still in there somewhere.
20:11Every so often, I see a glimpse of the daughter that I knew.
20:27The clever, funny and beautiful person that I have adored since she was born.
20:30Despite your problems, despite all the things you have done, despite all the things that have happened to you as a result,
20:36I will always love you and work to care for you and provide for you.
20:40Know this and know that I believe you will come through this stronger unknown who you are.
20:45Love you Rosie always, Mum.
20:47I found that group to be encouraging.
21:01Not a whole lot of talking it seemed like, you know, but she, I think, got the message that her mom was sending.
21:07And to me, it was a pretty moving experience.
21:11When you hear it all in a letter, all up in one block, yeah, it just really hits you in a different way.
21:17And now I know what I need to do to stop.
21:21Now I need to do, now I know how my mom really feels properly.
21:24I know what to do to stop her from feeling like that.
21:28Across the wilderness, Lucy's started her journey from Quest back to the group.
21:40But a few hours of hard hiking soon bring out her true colours.
21:45I need a break, man. My shoulders are killing.
21:48I'm 15 and they expect me to carry like a huge pack like that.
21:51It takes a minute.
21:53So I decided, the country is backwards and if this was in England, this wouldn't be happening.
21:59There's two ways I can leave it, which is run and don't get caught or graduate.
22:03I just think graduating seems so hard, man.
22:05So I just want to run.
22:07Lucy's frustration soon turns to rage.
22:10I don't give a shit no more. You can fucking do what you fucking want.
22:13But as soon as you fucking take your eyes off me, I'm fucking out of here.
22:16Well, if you're just going to take off again, why don't you just try it out and see what happens?
22:19Right then, I fucking will.
22:23She seems to be escalating like she was before and just moving back into that space and it's very difficult for her to get out of that space.
22:33Just fuck off!
22:35And so she's just started latching on to all the negative stuff and it started taking her back down to where she was before.
22:41Just fuck off!
22:44Just fuck off!
22:45Just fuck off!
22:46Just fuck off!
22:47Just fuck off!
22:48Just fuck off!
22:49Just fuck off!
22:50Just fuck off!
22:51Just fuck off!
22:52Just fuck off!
22:53Just fuck off!
22:54We don't want to move into a situation where she's more escalated than she is right now because that hasn't been effective with her in the past.
22:59We're hoping this wasn't going to happen, but...
23:00Anticipating.
23:01Anticipating, no.
23:02Good.
23:03After a tense standoff, Lucy goes one step too far.
23:06What are you angry at, Lucy?
23:08She confronts the staff head-on.
23:09It's not even Guy.
23:10Lucy, drop the stick.
23:11Yes, it is!
23:12Not me, Lucy.
23:13Yes, it is!
23:14It's all I do, Lucy.
23:15You can hit me with a stick and it's nothing.
23:16We've got a deal.
23:17Lucy still doesn't understand that the bullying she uses at home won't get her anywhere here.
23:33Lucy, stop!
23:34You need to stop.
23:35You need to stop.
23:36I need to fucking stop.
23:37Who the fuck are you to tell me what to fucking do?
23:39Lucy, stop.
23:40Go ahead, Lucy.
23:41Go ahead.
23:42Go ahead.
23:43Go ahead.
23:44Okay, Lucy...
23:45Go ahead.
23:46Go ahead, Lucy.
23:47It's not me, Lucy.
23:48It's...
23:49It's you, Lucy.
23:50It's you, Lucy.
23:51I'm just fucking not.
23:52I'm just another person.
23:53No, you're not.
23:54You're just another person.
23:56Fucking wanko.
23:57Just another in a long line of people you get pissed at.
23:59Oh!
24:00Fuck!
24:01It's not Guy, Lucy.
24:03I don't think she wanted to hurt me because she wasn't swinging for my face at all.
24:13But it got to a point where she was... she wasn't calming down.
24:18And so we just... we put her down as easily as we could.
24:25Things were as calm as they could have been in that situation.
24:28And, um, and, you know, we were prepared for it.
24:30And now we're taking a look at what the next step might be.
24:33Lucy faces the ultimate sanction.
24:38Let's go and sit down.
24:39Yeah, how are we going to know?
24:40What, what, what, what's the lack in time?
24:42We want to know what's going on first, actually.
24:45And Poppy pushes the group to the limit.
24:48I need to put my board in spindle.
24:50I don't actually think we're allowed to talk about that to each other.
24:53I'm sorry, but I've just got used to taking that from people.
25:05Despite the Utah weather, there's no let-up in the girls' routine.
25:09But three hours away across the wilderness, there's little sign of activity.
25:24Given Lucy's violent behaviour, Aspen have changed strategy.
25:29They're transferring her to a specialist site,
25:31where she'll be kept under even stricter control.
25:34It's been a little over four weeks that Lucy's been here
25:36and she's had a really difficult time.
25:38And she's spent most of her time away from the group on Quest,
25:43working on assignments and not working terribly well
25:46on those assignments while she's been here.
25:48This approach is just not working very well for her
25:51and she's really struggling with it.
25:54And so the best thing for her is to actually try
25:57a completely different approach at this time.
25:59Are you all packed up?
26:00Lucy doesn't know where she'll be going.
26:02From day to day at Aspen, the kids have no idea of the camp's plans.
26:07Walk where your pack is and we'll make sure we can sit you down a little bit.
26:10Yeah, I want to know what's going on first actually.
26:12So you're going to go to another placement.
26:14It's not going to be outdoors like this.
26:16I'm not going to say that it's going to be harder or easier
26:19because I don't know.
26:20Yeah.
26:21Okay?
26:22Yeah.
26:23Alright?
26:24Yeah.
26:25Well, let's walk and talk.
26:26So I'm not sure that it's going to be easier or harder for you?
26:31No.
26:32I think I could have tried harder but, man, it's been such a struggle with me trying anyway.
26:37Because I did try and then I didn't get know where I'd give up.
26:40And it's just been a big circle, really.
26:41So, like, I hope I can, like, do you know what I mean?
26:42Like, just start again, really.
26:43Before she leaves, the staff have arranged a ceremony to mark her time at Aspen.
26:58This gate is the south gate, okay?
27:02The south gate represents summertime, the color green.
27:07It's a time of abundance and it's a time of giving gratitude.
27:11So as we pass the stick this time, share something that you're grateful for.
27:17Um, yeah, I'm grateful for, well, I am actually grateful for my time here because I've met some
27:23great people, including some of the staff who have been, like, they've tried their best
27:28to help me, even though they haven't always succeeded.
27:30And, like, I don't hope it's very nice.
27:34And, um, yeah, I'm just grateful for all the help that I've been given.
27:39It's a new day.
27:41It's a new beginning.
27:42And you get to choose how you walk forward from this space.
27:46We're going to leave this circle of sticks here on the ground.
27:49Usually we scatter them.
27:51But know that if I'm ever camping around Dog Lake again, I may walk to the top of this
27:58hill and I'll be thinking about you and what you said that you wanted for your future.
28:03And if you'll remember this place and remember what you want for your future, you can begin
28:09to have it.
28:10I'm going to miss you, mate.
28:20I'm really sorry as well, man.
28:24Thanks.
28:25It means a lot, man.
28:29I'd wish her luck, basically.
28:32Like, she comes back home as a better person and tries to learn how to control the anger
28:38that she has.
28:39Because I care about her.
28:41I've still got a spoon.
28:42I ain't going to forget one.
28:43No.
28:44Take care, Luz.
28:45Yeah.
28:46On you.
28:50I'm upset that we're not going to leave as a seven and we're not going to even stay as
28:54a seven.
28:55We're now a six.
28:56So it is quite upsetting that the people you arrive with you're not going to stay with.
29:00Back home in Lancaster, Lucy's lack of progress is a bitter blow to her parents.
29:17I sent her off and said goodbye at Heathrow and I thought she would be coming back, you
29:24know, not vastly different, but just with a nicer temper and a better attitude.
29:29And that's all I wanted.
29:31The camp have a 85% success rate.
29:34But we have to think of Lucy as she's in the 15% that haven't succeeded.
29:38She's in the 15% that have failed.
29:40You know, she's got another chance.
29:42So let's hope she actually takes that other chance and tries and progresses.
29:46Because I think it's going to be a nightmare if she actually comes back and she hasn't changed.
29:54Go!
29:56Left, right, left, right.
29:58It's the end of another hard day for the group, but Rosie's work isn't done.
30:05She's still looking to make her very first fire and earn the privilege of regular hot meals.
30:11That's blatantly.
30:12Yeah.
30:13Oh, Rosie, you are eating hot.
30:15Come on.
30:16Come on, Rosie.
30:17Come on, Rosie.
30:20Pinch a little bit more.
30:21There you go.
30:22Big, long breath now.
30:30A little harder now.
30:31Yeah, big breath.
30:32Yeah!
30:33Woo!
30:34Oh, my God!
30:35You're a heart attack!
30:36Give me a hug!
30:37Yay!
30:38You're eating hot!
30:39Cut!
30:40Cut!
30:41I'm proud of myself because I've been struggling for like two weeks trying to make a fire.
30:58And I finally got one tonight, which was cool.
30:59It means I can eat hot, obviously.
31:00And, yeah, I'm just proud of myself because I've been struggling for ages and I actually managed to get one.
31:13The group are facing their biggest cart hike yet.
31:26Eight tough miles to reach their next camp.
31:30It's not long before the cart teams fall into two distinct categories.
31:35Cut, George!
31:36Yeah!
31:37Those without Poppy.
31:42And those with Poppy.
31:46I'm not feeling like this is safe because you're just yoking with one hand.
31:49Yeah, I can't help that.
31:50My wrist is in agony.
31:51Let's just try to do this.
32:01Um, the other cart is going and we really need to not break up from them.
32:05Yeah, but I think...
32:06You are going to be okay.
32:07The gas is really painful.
32:08It's not gas anymore, it's not gas.
32:11It would make me believe you a little more if...
32:13I mean, you said that you've been feeling this way all day, but for the first half of the day you were totally fine.
32:17Yeah, I was trying to ignore it because I knew that I would have to drink more water or something.
32:24After an hour of moaning, Poppy decides to give up completely.
32:28Yeah, I'm super.
32:30Oh!
32:31But it's the group who are really suffering.
32:33At this rate, they won't make camp before nightfall.
32:37At Aspen, the girls were encouraged to avoid verbal aggression.
32:41So Dani's decided to put her thoughts down on paper.
32:45I told her I was pissed off and annoyed with her because she's just wanting attention, really.
32:55That's all she wants is a bit of attention.
32:57And I think it's bang out of order to hold the whole group back when we're miles away from any campsite.
33:02And when we get there, we're going to have to set our shoulders up, do the last call and eat in pitch black dark,
33:08because we can't see what we're going to be able to do because we've got to sit here,
33:10because Poppy wants attention and I think it's bang out of order.
33:13It's okay.
33:14It's okay.
33:19Dani's words of encouragement do the trick, and the group can finally move towards camp.
33:26Poppy, she just has to have her strop.
33:28When she can't get her own way, she gets really stroppy and she finds it so difficult with teamwork,
33:32and she just can't do it.
33:34She can't physically do teamwork.
33:36I didn't like that very much, because I was being dictated by a stuck-up little pitch.
33:43Good job getting into camp.
33:45I just can't stand people like that.
33:49It's a melodramatic little twat.
33:52And drama queen Poppy hasn't finished yet.
33:56I need to prep my board and spindle to make a fire.
34:01Did you ask her for the knife?
34:02I did, I asked you for the knife.
34:04And then she goes, why do you need the knife?
34:06No, I didn't say why you need the knife.
34:07I said Georgie's going to do a tandem with you.
34:09Don't twist my bloody words, Mum.
34:10I don't care.
34:11Oh, for God's sake.
34:12I'm not even having this conversation.
34:14That's just pathetic.
34:15We're not going to have conversations with you.
34:17We're not going to help you if you talk to people like that.
34:19I need to prep my board and spindle.
34:21I don't actually think we're allowed to talk like that to each other.
34:23We're supposed to do our bills and stuff.
34:25I'm sorry, but I'm just not used to taking that from people.
34:27I'm sorry, but I really don't...
34:28No, I don't even know what's going on.
34:30I'm so ashamed of it.
34:31I'm wondering if we need to do a group.
34:34With tensions rising, staff decide to call a process group.
34:38To be sitting in the group here,
34:40the expectations for communication
34:43are that we're speaking in calm tones.
34:46It's Aspen's very own form of crisis management.
34:50You're just being really demanding
34:52and I just hate that when people do that
34:54because they're not going to get anywhere.
34:56I honestly don't respond to people that demand.
34:58I don't go and do what they want
35:00because I think it's spoilt.
35:01That is bullshit.
35:02In my life, I've never been spoilt in my life at all.
35:04I'm sorry, but the way you're acting,
35:05you're being completely spoilt.
35:06You can't say that
35:07because the way you're acting was demanding
35:09and it was spoilt.
35:10Can I finish what I was thinking, please?
35:11Sorry.
35:12When you call someone spoilt,
35:13it generally means they've been spoilt in their life
35:15and I haven't...
35:16at all.
35:18And you're rolling your eyes, but...
35:20I didn't roll my eyes.
35:21I just looked over here.
35:22Look, I can't take this.
35:24I'm just getting complete bullshit back.
35:26I say something that makes bloody sense
35:27and I just get completely crap back.
35:29And I understood it.
35:30After five weeks at camp,
35:32Rosie's learning to walk away rather than lash out.
35:35Like, what's going on for you right now?
35:37Like, what are you...
35:38What are you experiencing?
35:40Like, what else is going on?
35:42I just don't let people like that talk to me like that.
35:44Talk to you like you're scum or something,
35:47just the way she's talking to me.
35:50But it seems that Poppy's not so in control of her emotions.
35:54I want you to know for the future,
35:56if you can't actually do something,
35:58we're not all going to get pissed off at you
35:59because you can't do it.
36:01If you're willing to do stuff, we're fine.
36:03And I'm not having a go at you.
36:05I just want you to understand that.
36:07Under pressure, she resorts to a familiar response.
36:11Stop itching.
36:12Stop. It's going wrong. Sorry.
36:14Yeah, please.
36:15Poppy, Poppy.
36:16Stop there.
36:18Go.
36:19Poppy, stop.
36:20Go up.
36:21Poppy's tendency to self-harm was one of the things that brought her to Aspen.
36:35This kind of behaviour is nothing new for the staff.
36:39Self-harm comes up with a lot of our students.
36:42And it's interesting because it's different than suicidal actions.
36:46But at the same time, it is serious and significant,
36:49and we need to make sure that the students are safe out here.
36:52I would say Poppy's reaction is mostly a reflection of just feeling overwhelmed emotionally
36:58and not having a skill set to handle, like, intense emotions.
37:05You know, if we can just deal with it in a comfortable way
37:08and work on coming up with other ways of expressing those emotions.
37:13It's just a little bit more.
37:14Eventually, Poppy's calm enough to return to the group and to write down for Lauren exactly how she feels.
37:24Overwhelmed, sick, alone, frightened, lonely, unloved, like no one cares, confused, crazy, sad, neglected,
37:39belittled, small, and important, terrified, on my own, helpless and pathetic, all at the same time.
37:48There you go.
37:50That's the answer to your question.
37:51That is exactly an answer.
37:53You're right.
37:55So then what does the self-harming do?
37:59Takes it away.
38:00All of that?
38:02Good majority.
38:03A few scratches?
38:04Can take all of that away?
38:07No.
38:08A good majority.
38:09Hmm.
38:14What is it about it?
38:15What is it about it that does that?
38:17Um...
38:25Makes me feel in control.
38:26Okay.
38:29Um...
38:38Stopped me from being so angry.
38:49For Poppy, it seems the hard work has only just begun.
38:52New rules for three of the girls.
38:53We're not allowed to go to sleep until there are at least three stars in the sky.
39:06Not allowed any fire.
39:07I can't make them anyway.
39:08You're not allowed to get naked.
39:09You're not allowed to get naked.
39:12And a whole new routine for Lucy.
39:14So far, all of the girls have achieved Aspen's coyote stage, meaning they've been able to comply with the basic rules of camp.
39:32Now, three of the group are ready to be promoted.
39:37Rosie, Georgie and Julia have shown the improvement and leadership skills required to reach the next stage.
39:45Buffalo.
39:46It's typically a phase where they focus on the group and the group dynamic.
39:53And that's what Buffalo's about.
39:54It's about taking care of not only myself, but everyone else in the group as well.
39:59But before they can make their transition, they each have to complete a solo.
40:05A traditional Aspen rite of passage.
40:07Welcome home.
40:08Welcome home.
40:10Separated from both staff and each other, the three will spend three days and three nights alone.
40:16See you soon.
40:18Bye.
40:19At Aspen, solos are more about spiritual awakening than survival.
40:24It's not something we get in our world.
40:27Our world is so hectic and busy.
40:29And they get to be quiet and alone.
40:33And at the end of it, I'm pretty optimistic that all the girls will come out of this as a part of the experience.
40:39I'm not ever going to become at one with the wilderness.
40:42I'm not from the wilderness.
40:43I'm from a house.
40:44I'm just freaking out about all their little animals.
40:51Whilst alone, the girls will have to observe some basic rules.
40:56You've got to stay in your solo site and we've got clear boundaries.
40:59So you're not allowed to move much or do anything.
41:03We're not allowed to go to sleep until there are at least three stars in the sky.
41:06Not planets and the moon doesn't count.
41:09They have to be stars.
41:11Not allowed any fire.
41:12I can't make them anyway.
41:14You're not allowed to get naked.
41:15And those are the rules of being on solo.
41:16And those are the rules of being on solo.
41:21For the next 72 hours, the girls will have only their thoughts for company.
41:38This is in their hands.
41:39Where they're willing to go, how honest they're willing to be with themselves and what they look at inside.
41:48It's totally up to each of the girls.
41:52I made plans for projects from their side.
41:53You aren't allowed to be amazing.
41:54I use room full of things.
41:58I Whoops!!
41:59I've been sort of meditating for most of the morning.
42:25It's, like, weird. It's hard to explain.
42:27And it's, like, so...
42:29It's peaceful to such a big extent, like, a deer.
42:32I've seen a deer this morning.
42:33You know, you see that big dead tree there?
42:35There was a deer right there, so near me.
42:37That's how kind of peaceful it is here.
42:39Because I was just sat here, not moving.
42:41He just, like, stood there watching me for a bit.
42:43It was really cool.
42:45It's really nice here.
42:47After some time alone in the wilderness,
42:50Georgie's decided to write a letter to her local police officer.
42:53It says,
42:54Rosie's also been inspired by the written word.
43:00It's just about wizard dragons and stuff like that.
43:01I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you and your workmates this past year.
43:05I hope you're having a quieter life now I've gone.
43:08All I can say is if you see this, then you will know that I got what I deserve.
43:13Rosie's also been inspired by the written word.
43:17It's just about wizard dragons and stuff like that.
43:19But it's just, when I was little, I used to read, like, endlessly, non-stop.
43:23And then I started smoking, drinking and stuff.
43:26And I forgot how much I enjoyed it.
43:30And, um, so I got to the second chapter of this, and I immediately clicked on,
43:34like, clocked on to how much I enjoyed reading it.
43:37It made me cry.
43:38I'm just thinking that maybe when I go home, I'm not going to buy fags.
43:43I'm going to buy a book instead and just completely changing.
43:46It's a bit weird.
43:47It's scary as well.
43:51The girls' solo experience has come to an end.
43:55We're going to need you to pack up.
43:56You can go ahead and pack your stuff up.
43:58But before they return to the group, it's time for their transition to Buffalo.
44:05Each girl's ceremony has been tailor-made to reflect the personal challenges they face at Aspen.
44:12As you move into Buffalo, I'd like to hear a few goals from you.
44:16Rosie needs to find the leader within.
44:19By doing this, like, in the role of the group,
44:22just try and be someone to look up to as one of the first people at Buffalo.
44:26And I'm going to put you in a maze.
44:29You just have to find your way around the cordage
44:31until you can find your way out of the maze.
44:33Georgie has to untangle herself from the mess she's made of her life.
44:39As your position of Buffalo,
44:40you're expected to be one of the leaders of the group.
44:42But one important thing for you to remember
44:44is that you're still allowed to ask for help.
44:47And, like, don't try and do everything yourself.
44:50And Julia needs to rediscover what her drug use has hidden.
44:53So to get out of here, you have to convince us.
44:58You have to start saying things that you're good at,
45:02that are good about you and successes that you've had here.
45:05And you have to say them loud.
45:07I'm good at caring about other people and trying to help them.
45:11And I'm good at persevering with things and trying my best at things.
45:17Why don't you try getting up?
45:19Congratulations, Julie.
45:25You're a buffalo.
45:28I am buffalo!
45:31Woo!
45:32A hundred miles across the wilderness,
45:40another girl is showing signs of progress.
45:44It's ten days now since Lucy was moved to a specialist site.
45:49She has a new look and a new attitude.
45:51I've decided that if I'm going to get out of here, yeah, and graduate,
45:56and I've got to work hard and do, as I'm told,
45:59if I can get into working out, yeah,
46:01then I'm going to have a better life, innit,
46:02cos, like, I can get a job and I'll be able to work
46:06and I'll have the motivation kind of thing.
46:11For all the girls,
46:13life at Aspen is starting to have an effect.
46:16When we arrived, I was like, I can't do this, I can't do that,
46:21I can't go this amount of time without a cigarette.
46:24I was saying that, and I was believing it,
46:26and it's like five and a half weeks in,
46:27I haven't had a cigarette, I haven't had a drop of alcohol,
46:29and I haven't had a drug besides coffee weeks.
46:32So it's taught me that I don't need to rely on anything except myself.
46:38I don't.
46:40Everyone's just realised that if you muck around,
46:43you're just going to be put down again and less privileges,
46:45and you're just going to be kept here longer,
46:46I think everyone's just thought,
46:48this is something we can't get out of,
46:50so we're just going to do it.
46:53Being here's brung out, like, the real Rosie,
46:55the way I used to be when I was really little.
46:58Not exactly the same, but, you know, just a happy person.
47:01And it just...
47:04feels fantastic, to tell you the truth.
47:07Temptation rears its ugly head.
47:16We found a five-butt with that much back in it still,
47:19and we're going to make it push.
47:21And guess who's going home...
47:23I'm going to miss you.
47:25And who's not.
47:27Oh, my gosh, this is so strange.
47:31What was going on?
47:32What was going on?
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