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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
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.
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Award-Winning 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® & Bullying Prevention Programs
Our signature team-building experiences inspire collaboration, critical thinking and creativity in all kinds of teams – from kid to corporate!
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Challenge Island Book Series Programs
STEAM + Reading = STREAM! Our book series field trips bring the bestselling Challenge Island stories to life in your classroom!
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Hi, I’m Jill!
Jill is a former award-winning K-8 elementary school teacher and owner of Challenge Island South Charlotte
Jill is the owner of the Challenge Island™ South Charlotte program. She is a former award-winning K-8 elementary school teacher with public and private school experience. A “real” S.T.E.A.M. Queen, she spent nearly 20 years in the Pharmaceutical Sciences industry employed by Fortune 500 companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Abbvie in a variety of leadership roles.
An avid reader and science geek, Jill is passionate about equity in education. Her mantra is “every child yearns to learn.” Jill received her undergraduate degree in English Language Arts/Teacher Certification Program from Virginia Union University. She received her MBA from Syracuse University-Whitman School of Business. Jill runs her local Challenge Island business in Charlotte, NC where she lives with her husband, daughter and 2 pups.
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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 Featured in IFA Oscar Ad During the 2023 Academy Awards!
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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!
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HIGHLIGHT
Challenge Island Ranks #188 on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top Global Franchises List
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"Challenge Island camps and programs are valuable to the Town of Matthews and they provide fun and engaging STEAM activities for children. They foster teamwork, problem-solving, and imagination through different activities each day and the participants and their parents have nothing but great things to say about these programs."
Melissa Johnson, Cultural Recreation Manager, Town of Matthews
"Our students had so much fun when Challenge Island came to visit our school. The time flew by as our students worked together to create a STEAM project, overcome obstacles, and practice problem solving skills. Many students shared that their favorite part was getting into colored teams and putting on matching bandanas and face paint. This was an exciting and engaging element. The instructors are professional, kind, and came fully prepared (all we had to do was show up!). Thank you, Challenge Island! :)"
- Happy School Principal
Our Parent Engagement STEAM Night with Challenge Island was beyond fun and engaging. From the parents being hands-on assistants to the student's higher level of thinking during the construction of their structures, it was a delight to see the excitement of the project success after efforts of trial and error. After speaking to my team, we feel that Challenge Island Family STEAM Night events will be a great addition to supporting family engagement in our entire county. We look forward to extending the Challenge Island experience to more students in the St. John's County School District.
A. Martine Smith - Federal Programs Parent and Family Engagement Specialist
“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