• 40 children ages 8 to 15 were given opportunity to build their own society in a New Mexico ghost town for for 6 weeks, with no adults.
• Children cooked own meals, cleaned the outhouse, made a government, and ran their own businesses.
• Parents decided to complain after signing releases to allow their children to be involved.
  • Divad Miles (and mother Janis Miles) of Fayetteville, Ga. were among the complainers after Divad got burned by hot grease while cooking, the same kind of accident that could occur at home.
• Children worked long hours, but many of the children learned the value of work.
  • "Everyone usually had a job," said Mike, an 11-year-old from Bellevue, Wash., who participated in the show. Among them were cooking, cleaning, hauling water and running the stores, where, he said: "It was hard work, but it was really good. It taught us all that life is not all play and no work."
  • Taylor, from Georgia, agreed. "I learned I have to work for what I want," she said.

• State officials vacilating on whether the situation violated state laws. They are sure that it did, but aren't sure which ones.
  • Romaine Serna, New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department - Was upset her agency didn't get the chance to interfere in the production of the television show.
• Location: Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch

• Rewards
  • Parents received $5,000 stipend for participation
  • Children could earn gold stars, one given out per episode, worth $20,000

• Story

• Opinions In Support of Kid Nation Program Recognizing The Value of Teaching Children Independence And Work
• Opinions Against Kid Nation Program Claiming That Allowing Children To Be Independent Is Abusive
• Opinions of People Tired of Reality TV Shows

Other responses

Very sad to find out what happened to these kids after the reality show . Seems fame and some money can be ahrd thing to handle .
WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE " GROWN UP " KIDS AFTER THE SHOW ??!?
1. Sweet Lil Amy – Addicted to " sugar pops " and trolling school lunch rooms for "leftovers "
2. Shy Arni from India --Taking phone orders for Burger King
3. Jess the Jock – Growth Hormone has affected his reproductive organs and he is now dating Paris Hilton
4. Freddy the Nerd – Runs programming for CBS
5. Target the little goth kid – Bought by Marilyn Manson
6. Jeb the country bumpkin – NASCAR water boy and Jr. Grease Monkey
7. Big Mouth Martha – On the new season of Donald trumps "Apprentance "
8. too tall Terry – Taken in the draft by the Yankees
9. Crying Kathy – Adopted by Brangelina
10 . Overeating Andy – hired for the NY Giants offensive line

Although this show worries me, parents are good at blaming everything on TV. I am not a big fan of Brittany Spears, but it annoys me when parents will say my daughter is promiscuous, because of Brittany or Christina. Trust me, your children will alot more damning things to say about you than any of these so-called role models.