#3 Bandannas

Bandannas have transcended time and space in the history of America. They have been used for covering the faces of prairie hardened cowboys to keeping the counter clean in the kitchens of the trail house. But back then, red or blue were the only colors that you could find that trusty ol' bandanna available in. But now bandannas hold a whole new place in the YoungLife crowed as a social status symbol. What do I mean you ask, well let me explain.

First off, bandannas are now available from your local REI in more than 8 colors. And besides that, if you look hard enough you can find them in different patterns and designs. This makes Younglifers happy because now they can buy one to match each of there outdoorsy clothing choices or the color of their pocket bible. But mainly, bandannas are reserved for two different kinds of Younglifers: Serious Hikers and Ultimate Frisbee players. Don't get me wrong, all Younglifers love a good, worn out, stained, smelly bandanna to show how much they love not showering and the outdoors. But these two groups practically worship them.

The outdoors group loves them for there multiple uses and functionality. They can be used not only to keep the sweat out of your eyes, but also to cover up a wound or cut, to wipe down your Arcterix rain jacket, to filter water out of a clean stream or river or to wind up and snap a naked friend at a camp site. But also, for this group, the bandanna is crucial for letting people know that they are serious about the outdoors and hiking when they are not on the trail. Is the classroom, at the coffee shop or at church, these Younglifers love to wear them wrapped up or "dread-style" all the time. This let's them tell other people with out even speaking, "Hey, I am serious about the outdoors and like to show it even when I am wearing a coat and tie."

For the second group (Ultimate Players) bandannas are a way for them to not only keep the sweat and long, flowing hair out of their eyes, but also allows them to have at least two items of clothing on while playing. Most ultimate players in the southern states like to play shirtless and without shoes on. So bandannas allow for the "modest is hottest" rule to still amply apply.

All in all, bandannas are a great way for Younglifers to say, "Yeah I love being outside AND Jesus....a lot."

NOTE: At no time should one tell a Younglifer that bandannas are out of style or that it is not the proper situation to be wearing one. This will cause the Younglifer to second guess your loyalty to YoungLife and Christianity as a whole. If their wearing one causes a tiff with you, just tell them, "Great color bandanna!" This will allow for friendships to remain intact and a lack of conflict.