Young Explorers Summer Camp at Camp Dragon in Oxford

Course Description: Young Explorers Summer Camp at Camp Dragon in Oxford

Dragon School

Camp Dragon is located at The Dragon School in North Oxford. Established in 1877, it began as a small school for Oxford University lecturers’ children but has since evolved into the esteemed school it is today. It is now a preparatory school for day and boarding students aged 4-13. The Dragon School boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including science labs, art studios, a theatre, and extensive sports fields. Notable alumni, affectionately known as “Old Dragons,” include Emma Watson, Jack Whitehall, Bear Grylls, and Tom Hiddleston. With its combination of rich history, modern facilities, and an ideal location close to Oxford’s city centre, Camp Dragon offers an inspiring environment for students and staff alike. With the aim to “inspire, encourage and develop free-thinking, confident young people who reach for the sun”, the Dragon School’s ethos is central to Camp Dragon.

Course Description

Our Young Explorers programme combines fun, adventure, and academic enrichment in a safe and nurturing residential setting. Perfect for building independence and making lifelong friends, Young Explorers ignites curiosity and creates unforgettable summer memories.

Our summer camp, designed by language learning experts and experienced play workers, offers a unique and engaging experience for children aged 8–12 from around the world. At Camp Dragon, we provide an immersive environment where students are encouraged to be Safe, Brave, and Curious, ensuring they make the most of their time with us.

We have built a vibrant community that celebrates the joy of learning English through fun topics, and where students are supported in using new language skills with confidence. At Camp Dragon, we don’t teach traditional English lessons and we don’t use coursebooks. Instead, every moment at Camp Dragon is seen as an opportunity to learn, fostering a spirit of exploration and helping students find the language they need in real-life situations. From the classroom to the playground to the cafeteria, our goal is to create a nurturing environment where students feel empowered and supported to try new things, make mistakes, and grow in their language journey.

Meet children around the world on our action-packed Oxford Summer Camp.

Immersive Learning Experience

The Young Explorers programme is designed to enhance language skills through exciting topics and play-based learning. At Camp Dragon, we don’t rely on traditional English lessons in the classroom. Instead, we focus on teaching the functional language students need to fully engage with the programme each day in fun and creative ways. Our learning programme is rooted in primary school subjects, and we spark imagination through our dynamic Discover, Develop, and Dare sessions.

We are guided by our core Camp Dragon values: Safe, Brave, and Curious. Students learn to look out for one another, promote kindness, and create a community where making mistakes in English is embraced as a key part of the learning process. We nurture a supportive environment where students feel empowered to be brave and try new things. We also encourage curiosity—whether it’s about each other’s cultures, the topics we explore, or the language they need in the moment.

Accommodation

At Camp Dragon, all students live in purpose-built accommodation with shared dormitories and shared bathroom facilities. Dormitories have from four to nine beds which gives students lots of opportunities to practise speaking English all day. Everyone has their own area for storing their belongings.

Staff are available in the accommodation throughout the day and night to provide pastoral support. Boys and girls live in separate houses. Each house hosts a large communal area and garden where students can play and unwind together during MeTime.

Course Structure

Our innovative Young Explorers programme is designed to mix lessons and activities as children explore key themes in a dynamic and engaging way to maximise their learning.  Each theme is explored in four stages: Discover, Develop, Dare, and Showtime.

• Discover: A lesson introducing the core theme for the day and a knowledge base from which they will further explore the subject

• Develop: Apply newfound knowledge in engaging and collaborative ways in activities that not only reinforce learning but also encourage teamwork and creative expression

• Dare: A surprise challenge on the theme that they have been exploring through the day

• Showtime: The opportunity to showcase their new found knowledge and skills through interactive challenges