The controversial reality show, "Kid Nation", is set to premiere on CBS next week.

It features 40 kids living on their own in an uncivilized environment in Bonanza City, New Mexico, a desert town south of Santa Fe, on the privately owned Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch for 40 days.

It features children aged eight to 15-years-old. They work 14 hour days, seven days a week, which prompted the controversy.

They also have to live without electricity or running water, sleep on bed rolls on the floor, clean the town, survive on three changes of clothes and set up their own hours and rules.

"Kid Nation" was filmed in April and May, during the school year, yet there was no teacher on set. Parents were not even allowed to be on set.

During the course of filming, four children drank bleach from an unmarked soda bottle, one girl sprained her arm and another burned her face with grease while cooking. Her mother has filed a complaint.

One of the biggest debates has been over the 22-page contract in which parents agreed to let their child do what they were told by the producers 24 hours a day and seven days a week. If not, they could get kicked off.