Who we are:

spilled milk social club was founded in 2012 by Ali Epperson and Stella Maxwell-Putman, both of whom have 25+ years of experience in both in Austin, TX. Since the inception of spilled milk, we’ve emphasized the importance of healthy physical, social and emotional development with kids via our on-site programs, (after-school and summer camp). Our staff invite kids into adult-led projects while providing space for unstructured play, as it is our belief that kids need both supervised and unsupervised activity to build skills such as problem-solving, communication, collaboration and resilience.

As of January 2024, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This enables us to expand our mission-driven activities into programs that reach beyond our on-site offerings, and it affords us the opportunity to make all our programming more accessible to the greater Austin community.

Our mission:

spilled milk social club seeks to facilitate creative play with children to promote the development of problem solving and communication skills, calculated risk-taking, and resilience.

Our vision:

To build stronger communities by empowering children through creative play.

Our values

  • Evidence supports that free play and a general sense of playfulness support one’s ability to learn, solve problems, and be creative. In all of our work, we will strive to embody a sense of playfulness both among adults and youth alike.

  • We recognize that clear and honest communication is the greatest tool with which to build relationships and solve problems. As a program for youth, it is our goal to not only teach, but also model positive and open communication.

  • We seek to ensure that everyone feels a sense of connection and belonging, as well as a responsibility for the impact of their actions on the community in which we coexist.

  • Our program encourages and nurtures independence, confidence in an individual’s ideas and beliefs, and a sense of self-possession. We believe this builds a foundation for practicing self-advocacy.

  • In order to support a sense of community and belonging, our organization expects that all participants and leaders demonstrate sincere respect for others, our community, and ourselves.

Our child guidance philosophy:

In our interactions with the children enrolled in the program, smsc commits to treating each child with respect while keeping in mind our goal of guiding them to be the best version of themselves. We wish to instill in the youth a sense of independence and self-empowerment so that our community, young and old, is one that is welcoming, friendly, safe and exciting.

Our actions and words reflect a language, tone and intention that is sincere, genuine and constructive. We avoid communicating and acting out of frustration in hopes of modeling the most respectful and effective means of interaction for the children. In short, we (smsc staff and collaborators,) carry ourselves in the same manner that we expect from the children under our care.

non-discrimination policy

We, spilled milk social club, do not discriminate based on race, color, body type, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status. We make this evident and paramount throughout our organization and within the context of how we maintain our practices as a nonprofit entity. All of the above extends to any employees, clients, volunteers, vendors, and to anyone who may otherwise engage with our organization.