402. Aspen Achievement Academy

Aspen Achievement Academy was a so-called wilderness therapy program operating from an office in Loa, Utah. Professional youth transporters took teenagers to the program in handcuffs and legirons if neccesary from all over the United States with the parents permission.

They were known in the public when the third version of the UK-based reality show “Brat Camp” was filmed there.

Locally the authorities were concerned what would happen if teenagers who ran from the program might run into tourists. The escapes – some involving use of violence – could have turned out badly.

It didn’t seem like a fun place to be as a teenager.

Sources:

• Escape attempts from Aspen Achievement Academy (Just another hike – testimonial blog)
• Tough love proves too tough (High Country News)
• Brat Camp, TV-show (Fornits Wiki)