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Palm Tree Pillars
The Foundational Pillars of our Program that Make Challenge Island the Go-To Choice for Millions of Parents and Educators
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STEM + ART = STEAM
"To develop a complete mind, study the science of art; study the art of science; realize that everything connects to everything else." - Leonardo DaVinci
21st Century Skills
We foster the fundamental skills kids need to thrive today and tomorrow including creativity, collaboration, communication, flexibility and leadership.
Higher Level Thinking Skills
Our programs promote deep, critical, analytical and creative thinking abilities in kids which help ensure their long-term academic and professional success.
Project Based Learning
Our STEAM Teams® engage in collaborative, inquiry-based, student-driven learning grounded in real world connections and meaningful problem-solving.
Island Destinations
Whimsical island ambience combined with cross-curricular themes make the Challenge Island experience an unforgettable adventure.
Social-Emotional Learning
We foster the social and emotional intelligence children need to form healthy relationships, make positive choices and find fulfillment in life.
Resilience
Research shows that a Challenge-Island-palm-tree-like ability to be flexible and strong through life’s ”storms” is far more essential to future success than IQ.
Steam Teams
No child is an island which is why kids tackle our hundreds of proprietary challenges by combining their strengths with those of a STEAM Team of friends.
Screen Free Fun
Our programs provide digital native kids the precious opportunity to connect with their peers face-to-face and discover the wonders of the world, undeterred by devices.
"One thing that makes Challenge Island a standout is what it lacks. You’ll find no screens or digital devices in a Challenge Island after-school class, camp or family night. Instead, kids working together in STEAM Teams, are encouraged to use imagination, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to come up with creative solutions to challenges using a treasure-chest full of low-tech supplies."
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Award-Winning STEAM Programs
Onsite Field Trips
Our standard-aligned, cross-curricular K-12 field trips take students on a STEAMtastic island adventure without ever leaving school grounds.
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Camps
When school is out, STEAM is in! Our outrageously exciting camps feel like vacations in their own right!
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After School Enrichment
Our STEAM teams visit different island destinations each week and tackle challenges using only materials in their treasure chests and their boundless imaginations.
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Girl Scout Workshops
Our wide array of badge and journey workshops for Daisies, Brownies, Juniors and Cadettes come with a Challenge Island Fun Patch for every girl!
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Birthday Parties
Don’t just have a party, have an ISLAND party! Choose from our epic STEAM themes or design one of your very own.
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Family Engagement Programs
Our multi-generational family engagement events turn families into STEAM Teams as they work together to take on family-size challenges and fun.
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STEAMbuilding® & Special Events
Our signature team-building experiences inspire collaboration, critical thinking and creativity in all kinds of teams – from kid to corporate!
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Virtual Programs
Anything we can do in person we can do virtually! In fact, we were voted a TOP 3 virtual program in the USA by Business Insider.
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Hi, We're Matt Demecs and Misty Milner!
Owners of Challenge Island Boerne
Matt spent the last two decades working in a children's hospital as a Pediatric Cardiac Sonographer, which means he has a talent for helping wiggly little people stay still and calm while he takes pictures of their hearts. Matt enjoyed his work, but the emotional toll of caring for very sick children began to wear on his spirit.
While searching for a new career, he discovered Challenge Island®. The unique program intrigued him-he'd never seen anything like it! After observing the magic in a live class he was hooked, AND he discovered he loves teaching! He really enjoys the way the program combines his passion for science with exciting, imaginative, hands-on projects that help kids uncover their own talents and strengths during the process. Matt now visits schools, churches, and businesses all over the Texas Hill Country telling everyone he meets about the award-winning S.T.E.A.M. curriculum that teaches young people the 21st Century Skills they need to succeed. Today's students are tomorrow's leaders, and Matt wants to prepare them with the communication, collaboration, and critical thinking capabilities necessary to help them confidently reach their full potential in our tech-driven world.
Misty is also a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. She is the glue that holds us all together! Misty handles ALL our Challenge Island financial operations and will be the one you talk to when it's time to pay for that award-winning S.T.E.A.M curriculum we delivered to your event!
Misty is a Native Texan but lived in Colorado for several years before returning to Texas to be near her family. She enjoys living in Fair Oaks Ranch where she can easily get to San Antonio for work but still be close to Boerne and all its charm. She loves to travel, and will be heading for Hawaii this fall to cross another destination off her Bucket List!
Did you know that Challenge Island isn't just for kids? Misty enjoys delivering our STEAMbuilding© Challenges to adult "students" in small business and big corporations who need a relational reboot or an orientation to bring a new team together quickly. Our action-packed projects are FUN and will leave your company team members asking for more! 🤩 We are so grateful that Misty is an energetic multitasker who can manage her medical career AND keep us all fiscally fit while we do what we love most...teach necessary 21st Century Skills to all your amazing kiddos!
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STEAM + Reading = STREAM!
Combine the Magic of Challenge Island Programs with the Magic of Reading with our Bestselling Book Series!
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HIGHLIGHT
Challenge Island Named One of 50 Franchise Companies Doing the Most to Champion Diversity by Entrepreneur Magazine
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HIGHLIGHT
Challenge Island Ranks #188 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Global Franchises List
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“Thank you again for a great program. We had some very happy kids yesterday all decked out with leis and face paint! The feedback was resoundingly positive from both kids and their parents and I wanted to share my appreciation with you. It is clear you are very tuned in to each individual and your enthusiasm is contagious.”
Public Librarian
“Our campers always love their time doing Challenge Island challenges! The Challenge Island staff is always great to work with and my staff has has nothing but good things to say about them. The kids are engaged and always look forward to the activities. As far as I’m concerned, I couldn’t have asked a better program. We look forward to having Challenge Island be a part of future camps.”
Recreation Center Director
“The 4th grade had Challenge Island come to do a STEM activity for the Model-T Assembly line today, and had a great experience. We were set up in the gym, but it could easily be done in your classroom as well. The leaders brought all of the materials, were very organized, and had a great balance of learning and fun. They have a wide variety of activities that can meet tons of different standards. Highly recommend!”
Lead Teacher
“Challenge Island came to our school and performed an in-house field trip. The children absolutely loved them! They had so much fun. One of the students even said ‘I'll never forget this!’ I recommend this to any other Readiness program, HeadStart, and every Preschool program. They are very quick to respond and very kind and caring people. We will be booking every year!"
GSRP Preschool Teacher
“Challenge Island came to our summer camp and facilitated the roller coaster activity with our entire school, which includes students from Kindergarten to 8th grade. They had such great energy, and utilized their teaching background to spark a great conversation among the students. I can't wait to work with them again!”
Summer Bridge Site Coordinator
"Challenge Island provides unique and thoughtful programming for children of all ages! Their instructors are professional and knowledgeable. Their curriculum is inspired and allows participants to explore, create and achieve remarkable things!"
JCC Camp Director
“In Challenge Island, we learned how to creatively approach problems, rather than using the rote methods that are often emphasized in elementary school. When I started college, I found myself using the skills I learned at Challenge Island far more than anything I learned in high school. Today, in my quantitative work on disease, I still constantly use the problem solving strategies I learned through Challenge Island.”
Former Challenge Island Student
“One thing that makes Challenge Island stand out from the competition is what it lacks. You’ll find no screens or digital devices in a Challenge Island program. Instead, kids working together in STEAM Teams, are encouraged to use imagination, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to come up with creative solutions to challenges using a treasure-chest full of low-tech supplies.”
Entrepreneur Magazine