1. Rumspringa Coming-of-age experience. Begins at 16 and lasts for 2 years. Amish teens must decide to join the church and be baptized or leave the community. Wearing non-traditional clothing and hair styles Driving vehicles other than horse-drawn buggies Not attending home prayer Drinking and/or using recreational drugs Dating outside the Amish community Going to parties, bars, malls, movies Moving out of the family home

2. Amish Education Formal education through 8 th grade Different ages in one classroom Attend private, Amish schools, not public Independent thinking and critical analysis are not encouraged Reading, math, spelling, penmanship, history, and socialization in Amish history and values Lessons in English and German

3. Amish Girls At a very young age, Amish girls take on a lot of responsibility. Cook for family Grow and harvest family food Sew clothing for family Do laundry (all by hand…no electricity) Take care of younger siblings