Devil's Playground

When Amish children turn 16, they enter a period called rumspringa (literally "running around"), during which they can go into the non-Amish ("english") world and experience such modern amusements as drinking, smoking, doing drugs and having sex. The length of one's rumspringa varies, but generally lasts between the ages of 16 and 21. During this period, kids can decide whether or not they want to be baptized into the Amish church or continue living in the english world.

Rumspringa is overwhelming for Amish teenagers. Many go completely off the deep end because they don't know how to handle all the new temptations they face. This documentary chronicles the lives of several young Amish people going through rumspringa and gives a glimpse of the underground Amish party scene. Yes, there is definitely an Amish party scene. Let me tell you, it was weird seeing girls taking bottle shots and grinding on each other in bonnets and long black dresses.

90% of these kids choose to "turn church" and live Amish for the rest of their lives. That's not surprising considering how challenging the english world can be for an ex-Amish. Amish kids are required to leave school when they're 13. This means that by the time they hit rumspringa they've already been out of school for three years. If they choose not to go back to the Amish way of life, it's very difficult for them to find jobs because they're not educated. In addition, it separates them from their families. Although people who choose not to be baptized aren't technically shunned by their families (that only happens if you're excommunicated; if you're baptized and then leave), it does create rifts.

The Amish religion is all about a sense of community - you don't need extra "luxuries" because you have God and your fellow man to support you. What happens if you're half in that community and half out?