Network: CBS
Episodes: 13 (hour)
Seasons: One

TV show dates: September 19, 2007 — December 12, 2007
Series status: Cancelled/ended

Performers include: Alex, Anjay, Blaine, Brett, Campbell, Cody, Colton, Divad, DK, Emilie, Eric, Gianna, Greg, Guylan, Hunter, Jared, Jasmine, Jimmy, Kelsey, Kennedy, Laurel, Leila, Madison, Maggie, Mallory, Markelle, Michael, Migle, Mike, Morgan, Natasha, Nathan, Olivia, Pharaoh, Randi, Savannah, Sophia, Sophie, Taylor, and Zach

TV show description:
In this reality show hosted by Jonathan Karsh, 40 children from the ages of 8 to 15 try to rebuild a city in 40 days with little or no help from adults. Living in abandoned Bonanza City, New Mexico, the children are guided by four group leaders to create their own government. They must also prepare their own meals, carry in their own water, and oversee the local businesses.

The children are divided into four districts and compete for rewards for their groups and for their new society. Timed challenges involve carrying water, finding special cards on corralled sheep, putting pictures of U.S. presidents in chronological order, and collecting golden eggs.

The district who wins a challenge is awarded the privilege of being the “upper class” and receives $1.00 in wages and no work assignments. Second place contestants are designated as merchants and work in the stores of the city for $.50. Third place must handle the cooking for $.25 and last place cleans the outhouses and launders clothing for $.10. If all districts finish their challenge within the allotted time, the entire town receives a reward. The Town Council then must choose between fun reward options (a pizza party, a television, or a barbecue) and something that would benefit their community (water pumps, paint, or a collection of books for a library).

The Town Council meets every few days to discuss issues the young citizens may be having. Issues include deciding whether to kill chickens for meat or how late a curfew should be. At Town Council, the leaders award gold stars to contestants who have exceeded expectations on a certain task or demonstrated noble leadership. The gold stars are worth $20,000 each and the winners are given the opportunity to call home to tell their family the good news.