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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."
ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE
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, Rachel Gleason
Director of Challenge Island CNY
I am so excited to watch this program grow! I grew up with a big family and my mom's in-home daycare and became a nanny right out of high school and continued that for six years. Needless to say, kids have always been my life! I now have three beautiful kids of my own and am thankful to watch them grow every day! I enjoy trying new things, adventuring and having just as much fun as my kids. As Walt Disney said, "growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional."
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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 is Included on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 for the 6th Year in a Row!
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HIGHLIGHT
Challenge Island is Included on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 for the 6th Year in a Row!
Visit Newsroom
HIGHLIGHT
Challenge Island Ranks #188 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Global Franchises List
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"Challenge Island has been a wonderful addition to our programming. Very informative and the kids love it!"
Booker T Washington Community Center
“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