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Outside the Lines

Welcome to a different kind of social group—one built for neurodivergent tweens who thrive best under open skies, not fluorescent lights. Here, kids connect through movement, nature, and no-pressure conversation. It’s playful. It’s peaceful. It’s exactly what so many kids have been waiting for.

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Where Real Friendships Grow Wild

🌿 What Kids Will Get Out of the Group:

  • 🌱 Build real friendships in a low-pressure, judgment-free space

  • 💬 Practice communication and social skills in natural, playful ways

  • 🌞 Increase confidence through movement, exploration, and shared experiences

  • 🧠 Learn self-regulation and emotional awareness with support and patience

  • 🌳 Connect with peers while spending time in calming, sensory-friendly environments

  • 💡 Discover their strengths and social style without being told to “mask” or “perform”

  • 🤝 Develop collaboration and problem-solving skills through group activities

  • 🥰 Feel seen, accepted, and empowered—just as they are

Let's build them up so they can soar

Our mission is to create a supportive, sensory-friendly space where neurodivergent tweens can build authentic social skills through nature-based exploration, meaningful connection, and complete acceptance of who they are—unscripted and unmasked.

Nature doesn’t ask kids to sit still, make eye contact, or be quiet. It just welcomes them exactly as they are.

Program Description 

A playful, no-pressure space for kids who color—and connect—in their own way. Not every child thrives in traditional social settings—and that’s okay. Outside the Lines is a weekly outdoor social group designed to be a neuroaffirming space for tweens ages 11–13 who want genuine connection, but need something different than classrooms and awkward icebreakers.

 

Instead of scripts and social rules, we offer:

🌳 Nature-based play

💬 Low-pressure conversation

🧠 Room to be real, not perfect

 

This group gives kids the space to build confidence, practice communication, and make real friends—while being fully themselves.

 

🌈 What Your Child Will Get:

Meaningful friendships in a supportive, judgment-free space

Natural social skill building through play, movement, and exploration

Emotional regulation tools developed in a relaxed, outdoor setting

A sense of belonging—no masking, no pressure, no "fixing"

Time outside (and away from fluorescent lights and forced group circles!)

 

👋 Meet the Facilitator: Hi, I’m Mandy Casteel-Denney—a neurospicy mom, educator, and coach with a master’s in education and nearly two decades of experience supporting kids and families. I've led youth programs, supported parents, and raised two neurospicy kids of my own.

 

I created this group to be the kind of space I wish existed when my own kids were younger: outdoors, safe, fun, authentic and real.
 

When:

Two days to choose from: 

  • Tuesday: 3-4:30pm 

  • Thursday: 4-5:30pm

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Session 1: Feb 17th/Feb 19 - March31st/April 2nd (No session March 24th or 26th)

Session 2: April 7th/April 9th - May 19th/May 21st (no session May 12th or 14th)

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**Each group runs for 6 weeks. Minimum 3 participants, maximum 5 per group.

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Book Your Spot

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