Rumspringa pg. 3-33

Rumspringa is a non-fiction book about Rumspringa, an Amish tradition where Amish youth go out into the world and explore tempations. At the end of Rumspringa, the teens must decide whether or not to be baptized in the Amish Church or to remain in the normal world. This book contains interviews and research documenting young people making their decision.

The first chapter is called "Going Away." The chapter starts out with a short story of a group of Amish girls hanging out. They are walking around a neighborhood which is most Amish. Then, all of the girls go to one the girl's house. There they begin to wait for the guys to signal them to come outside so they all can go out.

Then, the book begins to explain a real Rumspringa party. This party is located in Shipshewana, Indiana. While the girls are working at home and hanging out, the guys are working. Everyone gets jobs after leaving school in eighth grade, and they give their paychecks to their parents. After work, the guys to go pick up the girls. The guys shine a flashlight in the girls' window to signal them. As the girls are leaving, the parents tell them to be careful but don't mention a curfew. Most Rumspringas last the whole weekend. The girls get in the cars and do anything they have been told not to do (e.g. drinking, smoking, etc.). They stop at a convenience store, where they buy alcohol, steal snack, and change into mainstream clothes. Now the teens are "ready to party." The teens drive to the scene of the party which is usually a hidden location. Everyone drinks beer, but vodka is available to spike soft drinks. In one corner, people are passing around joints of marijuana. In another corner, people are trying harder drugs like cocaine and crank. A lot of them are addicted. Also, teens couple up and "head off into the darkness." In the morning, many of the partygoers wake up at the party site.

Then, the book explains the meaning and purpose of Rumspringa. The purpose, according to one interviewee, is to find a partner, marry, and join the Church. 80 to 90 percent of teens do return to the Church.

The book now goes into personal accounts. First is Joann H. She is worried about finding a good husband. Next is Lydia T. She has already joined the Church but still goes to Rumspringa because she's not ready to let go of the partying. After her is Gerald Y, who is addicted to cocaine. His girlfriend said she would leave him if he didn't stop. Then is Marlys B runaway from home and lives with her boyfriend. They are trying to decide whether or not to be Amish. Next, Johny Y is too old to go to Rumspringa but isn't ready.

Now the book begins to explain how the Amish Church started. It started in the late Middle Ages. The Amish  don't baptize infants only adults. Then it explains the differences between the Amish and Mennonites. In the mid-seventeenth century, the Amish came to America.

At the end of the chapter, the book discusses the difficulty of Rumspringa. Teens have to consider life with and without the Amish Church. Teens have to make a decision that could forever change their lives.

I am liking the book so far. It is very interesting. Personally, I was surprised how extreme the parties are.  At times, it can be alittle slow. I just couldn't put the book down. I surprised myself by reading so much and enjoying it.