Youth Groups
I love the stark black carriages against the white snow and white barn.
This was a Sunday afternoon youth group get together. Every Sunday the Amish teens, age 16 to 22 get together at a different home and spend the afternoon and evening together. They all belong to different youth groups. They each have a name and a membership of 60-80 teens. If it gets larger, they split the group in two. They play volleyball, weather permitting outside or inside a large barn. They have a snack around 4pm and then more volleyball until about 6pm. They eat dinner at a large buffet and then have a hymn sing from about 7-9, followed by a little more volleyball and then a late snack. They all go home about 11pm.The family hosting the youth group provides all the food although the girls will bring baked goods for the snacks. Any church member in the area can come and join in, they enjoy watching the young folks and also help supervise in a discreet way. I have been to two youth group meetings. I had a great time although I didn’t sing as only one song was in English and it wasn’t on my ipod.
I think is is a great way for the kids to get out and meet other teens from other districts and the group is large enough that although there are clicks, everyone has a good time. I know my own kids would love to know that every Sunday they had a place to go to be with a large group of friends. No one is excluded and everyone is expected to show up. And because it is always held at someone’s home and there are plenty of adults around it tends to be a very nurturing atmosphere. I wish there was something like this for my kids.