Welcome to the World's #1 STEAM Program

Where Engineering Meets Imagination®

Offering Award Winning Onsite Field Trips, Afterschool Enrichment, Summer Camps and Family Engagement Programs
The Challenge Island Difference

Our Results Show in Our Awards

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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



Hi, I’m Amanda!

Owner of Challenge Island Upper Manhattan
I have been living in Manhattan for a little over 5 years now, previously working as a Child & Adolescent Therapist in a private practice setting. I obtained my bachelors in Psychology in 2018 at the University of Louisville in Kentucky where I was also a 4x National Champion Collegiate Cheerleader. I obtained my masters in Social Work at NYU in 2022. Growing up, school was never my strong suit. I relied on my cheerleading heavily to motivate me through school. I have a learning disability which made school very difficult due to my different learning styles. When I decided to go back to graduate school, I was nervous. I excelled more in those two years than my five years in undergrad and that was because of the passion I have for making a change. I always saw myself owning my own private practice one day but when life hands you lemons… you make lemonade! Challenge Island was an opportunity that fell on my lap that I absolutely could not pass up.

Something I have witnessed while working in the mental health field over the past 10 years is that as technology continues to evolve, we become less engaging as human beings. We rely on google to answer half of our questions nowadays which is passing down to our younger generations negatively affecting their social and emotional development. Challenge Island is evolving as the children evolve, providing them a safe space to learn and grow and we bring the fun to you… NO SCREENS INCLUDED! Challenge Island offers many STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) programs including On-Site Field Trips, Summer Camps, After School Enrichment and more! Every program is categorized by different destinations and every destination includes a challenge that the children must solve together, in their “STEAM teams.” Challenge Island encourages kids to “learn by doing” providing them with instructions on how to solve each “challenge” they face whether that is within their Challenge Island challenges or beyond.
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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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Ride the Wave of Excitement with Challenge Island’s Sports-Themed Field Trips

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