This story is taken from the winter 2025 issue of Dazed. Order a copy of the magazine here.

The idea of rumspringa has taken on a near-mythic quality outside of Amish communities, as a story of unbridled rebellion and escape from strict, traditionalist Christian upbringings. A period of relaxed rules between childhood and adulthood, this taste of freedom is often portrayed as a kind of rural rite of passage on social media: people share stories of rumspringa parties, where teens pull up in their horse-drawn buggies to drink beer with non-Amish (or, as they call them, “English”) folk, while self-styled Amish influencers rack up hundreds of thousands of followers for documenting their adventures.

“It sounds juicy,” says Lloyd Miller, a self-described “conservative, God-fearing man” in Ohio, “but it’s really a minority group that would actually do the things portrayed: one big party, letting loose and letting your hair down.” In Miller’s community, he says they don’t even use the word “rumspringa” – which comes from the German herumspringen, meaning to run or jump around. Instead, they simply say, “They are with the youth group.” Many Amish youth don’t drastically change their behaviour during rumspringa, but naturally, there are some who spend at least a part of it partying with friends.

While working on this story, casting director Michele Mansoor came across a group at a petrol station in Danville, Ohio, not far from her hometown of Columbus. Mansoor was invited to a party in a field where young people, Amish and non-Amish alike, were drinking and listening to music. “Everyone who grows up in [communities like this] knows they are only ever a few steps away from Amish people,” says Mansoor. “It was a typical party that any of us would go to in college.” Ohio has the second-largest Amish population in the US, a number of whom agreed to be photographed for this story. Some Amish communities in the state reject all modern technology, including indoor plumbing, while others are more relaxed. 

“There’s so much missing in modern culture, and you won’t regain it by sending a text,” says Miller, who describes the core of being Amish as a connection which lasts from birth until death. “You’ll get it by offering a handshake, making eye contact and crying and laughing with each other.” As their rumspringa ends, some of those who get baptised may trade in their smartphones for more basic flip-phones. But, to those who believe in the Amish way of life, it’s simply swapping one means of connection for another that’s more profound.

JAMES, 19

What do you and your friends like to do together?

We like to go out, have fun, eat some food, party a little bit – just hang out. Some people think that a lot of people do rumspringa and don’t come back. But a lot of them do.

What technology do you use?
 
I have a smartphone that is allowed during rumspringa.

Would you miss your smartphone?

Maybe a little, yeah.

How are you deciding if you want to get baptised?

I am just going to take it one step at a time and see how it goes. I’m enjoying [rumspringa]. It’s whatever you decide. Most of the time, it’s about when to get baptised, but it’s not the same [for everyone].

What are you most excited about right now?
Getting a driver’s licence.

FREEMAN, 18, AND MARTY, 18

What technology do you use?

Freeman: We have phones, but we can’t have them on our property.

What do you and your friends like to do together?

Marty: Drink beer.

What are your plans for today?

Marty: Get drunk and go eat somewhere. That’s the plan for the day.

How are you deciding if you want to get baptised?

Marty: Oh, I don’t know if I want to or not.

What are you most excited about right now?

Marty: He [Freeman] wants to get married.

Freeman: No, he’s lying! I never said that.

JON, 19

What do people get wrong about Amish youth?

What people don’t realise is that there are a lot of different types of Amish. In our culture, we allow technology. We’re allowed cellphones. We’re supposed to remain more internet-free but are allowed to deal with non-Amish [people] and have electricity and business-related technology like computers, if it’s not for personal use. Don’t take this the wrong way, but we are more of a friendly, outgoing type of Amish.

What are you most excited about right now?

I’m excited to wake up every day, go train and ride horses, meet new people and sell good horses. I enjoy what I do. From a personal standpoint, I’m excited to live a holy life for our eternal reward.

What are you most stressed about?

Most stress comes from financial burdens. Then there’s a lot of evil in the world that creates a lot of stress and worry. Although we try to stay away from some of the political stuff, that creates some stress.

ROSE, 20

What do you wish people understood about the young people in your community?

We all want to work together. Our standards just help us to remain together and have the same values. We are taught to work from when we are small children. You always interact with other people, and so you can have a good influence on everyone you meet. It keeps you more focused on your personal life as you know what you stand for.

What are you most stressed about right now?

There’s just so much evil in every part of the world, and among every group of people; a lot of people are living fearful lives.

What are you most excited about?

One of my favourite things is meeting new people. I love horses, but that just gets me to the people part, so I can make a difference in the world and try to encourage someone new each day.

Talent Alexis, Danny, Derek, Emily, Emma, Freeman, James, Jason, John, Julia, Marty, Rose, Rosie, Tim, photographic assistant Ahmed Gaber, styling assistants Darlene Park, Jonas Harris, Mattey Spicer, Angel Zari, Malcolm D Costa, production Mini Title,
post-production Imagine, casting Michele Mansoor, casting assistant Sofia Longoria, special thanks Lloyd and Edna Miller, Andy Miller, Cindy Yoder, Jonathan Jones, Brogan Shrimplin, Hunter Hanners.