Challenge Island | The World's #1 STEM and STEAM Program
The World's #1 STEM/STEAM Program Providing Award-Winning Afterschool Classes, In-School Field Trips, Camps, Girl Scout Workshops, Parties, and More! Featuring F2F and Virtual Options.
Our Results Show in Our Awards
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Wondering How it Feels to Be a Challenge Island Franchisee?
"Being a part of the Challenge Island Family means everything to me – and every day I feel so fortunate to be part of this amazing organization. Not only does it allow me to be the kind of mother I want to be to my own children, I get to work with children in the classroom setting in the most fun and least stressful way possible. Our Challenge Island Franchisee Ohana truly is the luckiest.”
- Ally Habif Franchisee, Challenge Island Buckhead/Sandy Springs Atlanta
"I love everything about being a Challenge Island franchisee. My quality of life is so much better since I purchased my franchise. I’m not sure it’s even possible for anyone to love Challenge Island as much as me.”
- Todd Ruggere Franchisee, Challenge Island Metro West Massachusetts
“What I love most about our amazing Challenge Island Ohana is knowing that I am never in it alone. There are always people there to support me and cheer me on. Challenge Island ownership means getting to do the job that I love the most out of any other job I’ve ever had."
-Sharyn Ham, Challenge Island Columbus Ohio
"Absolutely loved the training in Atlanta. It was the best training EVER! I created a special bond with my fellow trainees and am even more excited now to introduce the magic of CI to families and schools in WA state 💕"
- Mansi Mehta Franchisee, Challenge Island Greater Seattle
"Being part of the Challenge Island Ohana means that we are all in this together. We are always supporting one another, helping eachother out and cheering each other on. I am just so happy to be on this Challenge Island adventure and happy to be part of the amazing Challenge Island Ohana!” "
- Leann Lloyd, Franchisee, Challenge Island Western Colorado
"Being a part of the Challenge Island Family means everything to me – and every day I feel so fortunate to be part of this amazing organization. Not only does it allow me to be the kind of mother I want to be to my own children, I get to work with children in the classroom setting in the most fun and least stressful way possible. Our Challenge Island Franchisee Ohana truly is the luckiest.”
- Ally Habif Franchisee, Challenge Island Buckhead/Sandy Springs Atlanta
"I love everything about being a Challenge Island franchisee. My quality of life is so much better since I purchased my franchise. I’m not sure it’s even possible for anyone to love Challenge Island as much as me.”
- Todd Ruggere Franchisee, Challenge Island Metro West Massachusetts
“What I love most about our amazing Challenge Island Ohana is knowing that I am never in it alone. There are always people there to support me and cheer me on. Challenge Island ownership means getting to do the job that I love the most out of any other job I’ve ever had."
-Sharyn Ham, Challenge Island Columbus Ohio
"Absolutely loved the training in Atlanta. It was the best training EVER! I created a special bond with my fellow trainees and am even more excited now to introduce the magic of CI to families and schools in WA state 💕"
- Mansi Mehta Franchisee, Challenge Island Greater Seattle
"Being part of the Challenge Island Ohana means that we are all in this together. We are always supporting one another, helping eachother out and cheering each other on. I am just so happy to be on this Challenge Island adventure and happy to be part of the amazing Challenge Island Ohana!” "
- Leann Lloyd, Franchisee, Challenge Island Western Colorado
At A Glance
With over 150 franchises in the US and internationally and a critically-acclaimed children’s STEAM book series, Challenge Island has enriched the lives of 5 million children in 10,000 schools and community organizations.
Boasting dozens of Entrepreneur Magazine rankings and Parents Picks Awards, Challenge Island is an established, proven system, created and led by an award-winning educator, and author. Challenge Island is a one-of-a-kind franchise opportunity with a nurturing family-like franchise culture and unparalleled franchisee support.
The Difference
Challenge Island is a caring, creative, cohesive community of franchise owners who are changing the world one child at a time while building successful home-based businesses. Passionate, purpose-driven and unafraid of pushing boundaries and breaking barriers, the Challenge Island franchise opportunity is as groundbreaking as it is outside the box.
Whether you are an educator looking for your next step, a corporate parent trying to find balance, or a seasoned professional seeking a new career path that will fulfill you personally as well as financially, Challenge Island is worth a visit. And if the fit is right, it will be our pleasure to welcome you home.
The Challenge Island Life
Established Franchise Model
Professional Fulfillment
Work-Life Balance
Being Your Own Boss
Making an Impact
Cutting Edge Curriculum
Stellar Support
Fabulous Franchise Family
Learn Why Franchisees, Schools, Parents and, Of Course, KIDS Rate Challenge Island "Infinity"!
What makes a perfect franchise owner?
Visionary and passionate with an aim to make a difference as well as an income.
Entrepreneurial and fun-loving with a passion for education and working with children.
Collaborative team player who will enjoy becoming a part of our close and fabulous franchise family.
Challenge Island Makes Its Oscar Debut
Challenge Island was honored to be chosen out of thousands of franchise brands to be featured in the International Franchise Association's 2023 Oscar Ad!
Franchise Investment
The initial investment for a Challenge Island franchise ranges from $39,675 - $68,925, depending on territory size. This investment includes the franchise fee, comprehensive training, Challenge Island starter kit, all Challenge Island curriculum present and future, a state of the art website, oodles of marketing materials and business resources, ongoing stellar support, and much, much more!
The Path to Ownership
Aloha
- Fill out our online franchise contact form.
- Set up a phone or zoom call with Our Chief of Development, Robin.
- If Challenge Island feels like a fit for you and vice versa, sign an NDA schedule a Virtual Discovery Luau.
Island Discovery
- Attend our Virtual Discovery Luau. Get a taste of our island spirit. Take a deep dive into our programs, profit centers and franchise model. Meet our founder, Sharon Duke Estroff.
- Complete a Request for Consideration form.
Disclosure, Validation & Research
- Receive and review our current Franchise Disclosure Document.
- Meet some of our awesome franchise owners.
- Conduct research in your local market to build your territory.
Welcome to the Ohana!
- Select training dates.
- Receive review copy of your Franchise Agreement.
- Arrive in Atlanta and meet the Challenge Island Corporate STEAM Team.
- Complete training and business set up requirements.
- Begin Your Wonderful Journey into Challenge Island Ownership!
Our Founder
Sharon Estroff
Our Challenge Island founder and CEO is an award-winning educator, critically-acclaimed author and mom of four former Challenge Island kids.
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.
Award-Winning STEAM Programs
Award-Winning Onsite Field Trips
Our standard-aligned, cross-curricular K-12 field trips take students on a STEAMtastic island adventure without ever leaving school grounds.
Award-Winning Camps
When school is out, STEAM is in! Our outrageously exciting camps feel like vacations in their own right!
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.
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!
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.
Family Engagement & Parental Involvement Programs
Our multi-generational family engagement and parental involvement events turn families into STEAM Teams as they work together to take on family-size challenges and fun.
STEAMbuilding® & Bullying Prevention Programs
Our signature team-building experiences inspire collaboration, critical thinking and creativity in all kinds of teams – from kid to corporate!
Challenge Island Book Series Programs
STEAM + Reading = STREAM! Our book series field trips bring the bestselling Challenge Island stories to life in your classroom!
STEAM + Reading = STREAM!
Combine the Magic of Challenge Island Programs with the Magic of Reading with our Bestselling Book Series!
Learn MoreCheck out our locations map to find a Challenge Island near you on the list below - or contact us at [email protected].