What is "rumspringa"

n. (context US English) A period of adolescence for some members of the Amish that begins around the age of 14–16 and ends when a youth chooses baptism within the Amish church or instead leaves the community.

Rumspringa (, ), also spelled Rumschpringe or Rumshpringa, is a term for a rite of passage during adolescence, translated in English as "running around", used in some Amish and Mennonite communities. The Amish, a subsect of the Anabaptist Christian movement, intentionally segregate themselves from other communities as a part of their faith. For Amish youth, the Rumspringa normally begins around the age of 14 to 16 and ends when a youth chooses baptism within the Amish church, or instead leaves the community. For Wenger Mennonites, Rumspringa occurs between ages 16 and 21. The majority choose baptism and remain in the church.

Not all Amish use this term (it does not occur in John A. Hostetler's extended discussion of adolescence among the Amish), but in sects that do, Amish elders generally view it as a time for courtship and finding a spouse. A popular view exists by which the period is institutionalized as a rite of passage, and the usual behavioral restrictions are relaxed, so that Amish youth can acquire some experience and knowledge of the non-Amish world.

Rumspringa is a rock band from Los Angeles, California. The band's name was inspired by the Amish rite of passage, Rumspringa, and the rhetorical rebirth and exploration it represents.

Rumspringa formed in 2006 as a duo with Joey Stevens on guitar/vocals and Itaru De la Vega on drums.

Starting in 2010 the duo shifted over to a full band with two new musicians, including a new drummer. Ricardo Robles joined on bass, and Andrew Parker on drums.

Rumspringa (disambiguation) may refer to:

• Rumspringa, a rite of passage among Amish and other communities
• Rumspringa (band)