Richa Dolia shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Richa, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yes, absolutely! One of my proudest recent moments was during a Challenge Island field trip when a group of students who had been struggling at first suddenly had a big breakthrough. They went from frustrated faces to cheering and high-fiving each other when their creation finally worked. The whole room just lit up with joy—and I couldn’t help but laugh right along with them.
Those moments always remind me why I started Challenge Island. It’s not just about the STEAM skills, it’s about watching kids discover what they’re capable of, seeing their confidence grow, and knowing they’ll carry that resilience into other parts of their lives. It’s such a privilege to witness those sparks of creativity and teamwork, and I feel incredibly proud to play even a small role in that.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Richa Dolia, the owner of Challenge Island RTP, a nationally recognized but locally rooted STEAM enrichment program. My journey started as a high school teacher and then in corporate project and product management, but I felt called back to education—where my true passion lies. I missed the spark in children’s eyes when they discover something new and the magic of hands-on learning.
Challenge Island is where my love for education and problem-solving came together. We bring kids into imaginative, adventure-filled worlds where they collaborate, create, and engineer their way through challenges—all without screens. In today’s tech-saturated world, I believe that’s what makes us unique: we’re giving kids a chance to connect face-to-face, think critically, and build resilience in a playful, meaningful way.
For me, Challenge Island RTP is more than a business—it’s a mission. It’s about making an impact one child, one challenge, one island at a time. I’m so excited to continue building this community in Raleigh and Cary, and to watch the next generation of innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers grow right before our eyes.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was when I left the corporate world and returned to a classroom for the first time in years. I had spent so long in project and product management, solving complex problems and working with teams, but when I stood in front of a group of kids again and saw their eyes light up with curiosity, I realized what I had been missing. It reminded me that learning isn’t just about information—it’s about discovery, connection, and joy.
That moment shifted the way I view impact. I understood that while my corporate work had value, what I really wanted was to create experiences that shape how the next generation thinks and grows. It made me see the importance of hands-on, human connection in a world that’s moving faster and becoming more digital every day. That experience continues to guide me—it’s why I built Challenge Island RTP, and why I believe so strongly in giving kids opportunities to problem-solve, collaborate, and create in ways that screens can’t replicate.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self: trust the detours. The years in corporate, the longing for the classroom, the moments of doubt—they all had a purpose. Every step was building the skills, perspective, and resilience I needed to eventually find my true passion. So instead of worrying about having it all figured out, I’d remind myself that the winding path is what makes the destination so meaningful.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of very smart people today are underestimating the long-term cost of our over-reliance on screens—especially for children. Technology has incredible benefits, but we’ve leaned so heavily into digital solutions that we’re forgetting the power of real-world, hands-on experiences. Kids aren’t just mini adults who can thrive behind a screen; they need opportunities to collaborate face-to-face, to make mistakes with their hands, and to solve problems in ways that can’t be Googled.
Many well-intentioned parents, educators, and leaders believe that the best way to prepare kids for the future is by giving them *more* technology earlier. But in reality, the skills that will set them apart—creativity, resilience, teamwork, emotional intelligence—aren’t built through apps or tablets. They’re built through play, experimentation, and human connection.
So, where smart people are getting it wrong is in thinking that the digital world alone will equip the next generation for success. It won’t. We need to balance it with meaningful, screen-free opportunities for kids to think, build, and connect in the real world. That’s the gap I’m passionate about filling with Challenge Island.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think the biggest misunderstanding about my legacy may be that people will see Challenge Island RTP simply as a “business” or “program” I started, when in reality it has always been so much more than that. On the surface, it might look like just another extracurricular option for kids. But my hope—and my true intention—has always been deeper: to spark a shift in how children learn, connect, and grow in a world that is becoming increasingly digital.
What people may not immediately see is that my legacy isn’t about building a company, it’s about building confidence, resilience, and imagination in children. It’s about giving them a safe, joyful space to explore who they are and what they’re capable of—without a screen telling them the answer. If anything, my legacy is about planting seeds: seeds of creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration that will carry into their futures and ripple through their communities.
So if there’s one thing people might misunderstand, it’s that this was ever about me. It was never just my journey—it has always been about the children, the families, and the next generation I’ve had the privilege to impact, one challenge at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://challenge-island.com/rtp/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/challengeislandrtp/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/challenge-island-rtp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/challengeislandrtp/
