Today we’d like to introduce you to Shachi Sanghavi.
Hi Shachi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
When I came across Challenge Island, I loved that it was a hands-on and kid-driven program. Challenge Island is based on the core essentials of STEM and STEAM, but it also enhances effective oral and written communication and constant creative dialogue for solving what seems impossible. It has been a great experience bringing this program into the Houston-Katy area.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I bought the Challenge Island franchise and introduced it into the Houston-Katy area, I thought it would be an instant craze. But it was not that easy; it was a very difficult journey. Schools and other organizations did not want to try out something new, and specially with minimal nationwide marketing they did not know what our program was all about. STEM/STEAM programs were more centered around robotics and coding, while our program was device free.
I would call multiple public and private schools to talk about our program but was always turned down. Our first break was working with a private Montessori school, they gave us a chance to bring Challenge Island as an enrichment program to their students. Their students and parents loved the program, and they spread the word to other parents. We gained some recognition in the Katy area, but it was not enough to run a profitable business.
Our first summer camps were held in 2019 at a tutoring center we had rented, we had about 25 kids in total that summer. But we did not give up; we made more connections which lead to us getting small opportunities, some of which we did free of cost.
By 2020 we were anticipating a great summer but were hit by covid, but our Challenge-Island-palm-tree-like ability be flexible and strong through life’s ”storms” made us pivot our program virtually. We had hundreds of kids attending our summer camps virtually from all over the country. Our virtual programs were named as top 3 virtual program in the USA by Business Insider as vetted by the President of the American Camp Association and the Chief Innovation Officer of the Association of American Educators. Parade magazine voted us a Top Virtual Program in America.
Since then, we have not looked back; we have worked with thousands of kids in the last 4 years to bring the magic of Challenge Island to them!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Challenge Island NW Houston/Katy is a magical place where children are inspired to imagine, create, and experiment with the world around them.
The Challenge Island experience is the epitome of Project-Based Learning.
Children working in STEAM Teams take part in collaborative, inquiry-based, student-driven learning and exploration that is grounded in real-world connections and meaningful problem-solving.
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.
Students at Challenge Island are able to develop essential skills such as creativity, communication, flexibility, collaboration, and leadership which will help them to thrive in the future!
Offering Onsite Field Trips, Camps, After School Enrichment, and so much more! Get involved in one our many award-winning STEAM programs!
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Our programs are screen-free and provide digital-savvy kids the opportunity to connect with their peers. It challenges them to use their imagination and creativity while working on engineering STEM/STEAM-based curriculum.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.challenge-island.com/nwhouston-katy
- Instagram: @ci_nwhouston_katy
- Facebook: @CIKatyTX
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shachi-sanghavi-071a2618a
- Twitter: @IslandKaty
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPbjxqZtLZkVw_Os8YlF0HA
Image Credits
Elle Wood
