Growing Social

Growing Social offers summer camps with small groups matched by age and skills. Activities include gardening, cooking, farm animals, and other creative and motivating activities. It also offers individual sessions, school year services, a camp counselor program, social vocational camp, farm and community based camp, and other educational consultation.

Programs

• Summer Camps — 5 through adult · Daily camp sessions are 2-3 hours, Monday-Thursday; some groups have a full-day, one-week option. · Within small groups matched by age and skills. Activities include gardening, cooking, and other creative and motivating activities.
• Camp Counselor Program — 9th grade through young adult · Summer camp session with daily camp counselor sessions · For students who are aware of and have experience working on their social learning differences, and are motivated to continue their own learning.
• Social Vocational Camp — 16 through young adult · Teens and young adults practice social skills in a setting that mimics a work experience while working on job related skills.
• Farm and Community Based Camp — teens · A hybrid camp where teens spend time working on organizing details for group outings and social learning skills related to hanging out and advocating within the community.
• Individual Sessions — Available after group camps are scheduled for students requiring specific instruction or in addition to camp sessions.
• School Year Services — 1-2 hours weekly throughout the school year; in-person or online · Small group and individual sessions with a similar focus to summer camp sessions.
• Other Educational Consultation — Consultation services that may include attending meetings and consulting with parents and teams regarding IEP goals, services, and carry-over support.

At a glance

• Ages: 5–18 years old

About the provider

Growing Social was founded by Amy Miller and Stephanie Madrigal in 2013. Its mission is to teach social learning in a highly motivating outdoor environment to those with social learning differences.

Growing Social services may not be appropriate for all students. They are unable to support students with significant behavior challenges (i.e., extreme defiance, physical aggression, bolting, etc.). Depending on the student, they may be able to meet their needs through a shorter, more structured individualized program. The approach is rooted heavily in language and is most appropriate for students who have strong verbal and thinking skills. Each session includes a 15-20 minute parent wrap-up, and parents are highly encouraged to attend.

What families say

“Using the concepts of social thinking while tending to farm animals, harvesting vegetables, cooking and eating foods he would never try at home and working on shared projects helped him connect the dots between what he knows and how (and why) to use it.” — Parent

“Stephanie created a safe environment where he and his group members could practice their social skills as well as talk about the challenges they face.” — Parent

“There is no quick fix or magic button involved in parenting children who are more unique than the average kiddo. But some families need more support than the typical family might need. Stephanie and Amy at Growing Social offer what many children need in the way of some extra support…” — Parent

Last updated October 4, 2026.