Teens in the Wild - AN Overview.pub - RTÉ

A four-part observational documentary series, produced by Firebrand Productions for RTÉ, in which a
group of 15 &16 year old boys who are experiencing the struggles of teenage years attend a unique 21
day activity & therapy programme in the wilds of Connemara.
Presented by Clinical Psychologist David Coleman, this series aims to help both the teenagers and their
parents learn to communicate with and understand each other a little better.
Working closely with the teenagers for the duration of their stay, David also visits their parents off-site
to show them how their child is surviving away from home.
The Aim
Teens in the Wild explores with the teenagers and with their parents what possible reasons may lie at the
root of their behaviour and the family tensions.
The fundamental idea behind this unique project is that by putting the teens into basic accommodation in
an isolated environment, and by removing all ‘must have’ accessories, they have the opportunity to get a
break from home and to gain the skills needed to make some positive change in their lives. As the weeks
pass, they will learn how to communicate with their peers and instructors, take responsibility for themselves
and gain in self-confidence and self worth. David says that poor behaviour often stems from low
self-esteem. Hence the emphasis is always on “building them up, not breaking them down”.
The sporting and team-building activities are designed to push the lads physically and mentally but they
also offer the teens a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a great adventure.
Starts Monday February 2 at 9.30 pm on RTÉ One

THE PROGRAMMES
Programme One
Introducing each of our teenagers, programme one explores their parents very real concerns for their
son’s challenging behaviour. Why have they taken such a big step in signing up their son for Teens in the
Wild? The early days in Delphi are not easy. How will our teens settle in during their first week? David
Coleman is on hand at all times to help these complete strangers survive in this isolated environment,
miles away from home.
Programme Two
After the drama of week one, do all six boys make it through the first week? Programme two focuses
on skill building, and this week David starts working on a one-to-one basis with our teens. It is time to
tease out and address their individual issues…David heads away from the camp to meet the parents too.
What surprises are in store as they view footage of their teenagers?
Programme Three
It’s the final week for our teens and while David continues to work through each teen’s issues, he also
needs to prepare them for their return home. Are they ready to go? As they face their biggest physical
challenge to date, will a 24k hike make them or break them as a team?
Programme Four
After three long weeks it’s now time for the group to be re-united with parents and emotions are running
high. As we look back at the key moments of each teenager’s experience in Delphi, David Coleman
explores the personal highs and lows for each young man. What sense of change, if any, do they have at
the end of this challenging process? After three long weeks it’s now time for them to be re-united with
their parents and emotions are running high. What is their honest evaluation of their 21 days away? Has
anything been learnt? Has there been any positive change in their lives since Delphi? Would they do it
again?

BACKGROUND
Clinical psychologist David Coleman regularly gets calls from distressed parents whose teenagers are
causing them great concern. They are trying on a daily basis to deal with a range of issues such as
anger management and anti-social behaviour, Many parents are also trying to deal with their teen’s
susceptibility to danger on the streets, which is, today, a constant worry. For these parents, life has
become extremely stressful not only for them but for the entire family.
With the intention of making life somewhat better
for some of these families; in September 2008,
David Coleman, with the support of a core group of
instructors at Delphi Adventure in Connemara, offered
a group of teenage boys a 21 day ‘activity and
therapy programme’ based in an isolated location
within Delphi Mountain Resort.
During this time David also offered the teens’ parents
an opportunity to explore what possible reasons
may lie at the root of their child’s behaviour. In
essence, this unique programme aims to help both
the teenagers and their parents.
David’s hope was that by accommodating the group
in an isolated environment, away from all kinds of
temptations and distractions, and by providing
strenuous physical activity as well as time to work
through their issues with him, they would have the
opportunity to make some positive change in their
lives.
For some of the teens, it was their first time away
from home, which not only gave them time for reflection,
but also gave them and their parents some
much needed space from each other.
The fundamental aim of this project is to build the
teens up, not break them down.
NOTE: Delphi Adventure @ Delphi Mountain Resort
While the extraordinary support of Delphi played a crucial role in the running of this unique course, it is
important to point out that this is not a programme it offers to the public.

THE TEENS
Mikey (15) from Co. Westmeath, finds himself easily drawn into
street brawls. He can go missing for hours at a time and can be
verbally abusive at home and in school.
Jamie (15) from Cork frequently flies off the handle with his
mum and has been suspended several times from school.
William (15) from Castlebar has been threatened with expulsion
from school and gets caught up in street fighting. His mum
fears for his safety.
Kyle (15) from Tralee has lost focus and has been finding school
a real challenge. This is causing worry at home.
Noel (16) from Dublin is often at loggerheads with his parents,
has a problem with authority and finds it difficult to control his
hot temper.
Shane (15) from Co. Kildare had always been a high achiever in
school, but last year, he dropped out without explanation.
DAVID COLEMAN
David Coleman is a clinical psychologist, broadcaster and author. A graduate of University College
Dublin, David has been a practising Clinical Psychologist, working with children and families for over
ten years. He has become well-known in Ireland as the presenter of the hit RTÉ Television series
Families in Trouble. A natural communicator, David's style was universally acclaimed as accessible and
approachable. David has now successfully transferred his skills to radio where he is the weekly contributor
to the Moncrieff Show's parenting slot every Wednesday on Newstalk. David also gives lectures
and workshops to groups all around the country on topics ranging from parenting to communication
and has spoken, in person, to thousands over the last year,
David enjoys the engagement with a live audience and his entertaining style is always acknowledged.
Not content with his media and lecturing work David is also a bestselling author of Parenting is
Child's Play, a guide to raising children. The book, a firm and continuing favourite with Irish parents,
was published by Penguin Ireland in May 2007. He is also an expert contributor to the Parenting Section
of HealthPlus, The Irish Times' weekly supplement every Tuesday and will contribute to a new
regular parenting slot on RTÉ’s Seoige.
Starts Monday 2 nd February 2009 at 9.30 pm
More
Joseph Hoban, Senior Press Officer, RTÉ Television
Joseph.hoban@rte.ie, 086 8128662