Set off on an exciting adventure where learning meets fun, designed for curious 8- to 12-year-olds craving an unforgettable experience! Every day brings a new exploration of key subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, History, and Art and Design, all tailored for young minds. With our creative approach that combines traditional lessons with engaging activities, we create a vibrant and inspiring environment for every child to thrive.
The Young Explorers programme at Camp Dragon is an exciting adventure for 8-12-year-olds, blending English, Maths, Science, History, and Art with fun, hands-on activities.
Children dive into themed explorations that spark creativity, teamwork, and curiosity. They will take part in exciting projects, interactive workshops, and team challenges that bring their lessons to life.
The programme also features fun outdoor activities and creative tasks designed to inspire curiosity and critical thinking.
With a supportive and inspiring environment, they’ll build confidence and discover the joy of learning while making memories to last a lifetime.
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
Begin each day with an engaging lesson that introduces the core theme and key ideas. This session builds a strong foundation of knowledge and understanding, setting the stage for deeper exploration throughout the day.
Develop
Put your new knowledge into action through interactive and collaborative activities. These sessions reinforce learning while encouraging teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving in a fun and dynamic environment.
Dare
Take on an exciting surprise challenge linked to the day’s theme. This activity encourages you to think independently, apply what you’ve learned, and push your creativity and confidence to new levels.
Showtime
End the day by showcasing your learning and skills in engaging, interactive challenges. This is your moment to demonstrate what you’ve achieved and celebrate your progress with your peers.
Discover
The day begins with a trip to the Pitt Rivers Museum, where students explore fascinating artefacts that show how humans have used science and engineering throughout history. It sets the scene for thinking about innovation and invention.
Develop
Back at camp, students dive into exciting, hands-on experiments. From creating fizzing lava lamps to launching vinegar and baking soda balloons, they investigate cause and effect in lively, messy, and surprising ways.
Dare
Working in small groups, students rotate through a series of science taster activities — erupting Mentos and Coke, making Oobleck, testing “dancing raisins,” and revealing hidden messages with invisible ink. Each experiment sparks curiosity as they uncover the “magic” behind real scientific principles.
Showtime
The day wraps up with The Big Science Quiz Show — a fast-paced, interactive competition where Dragon Teams face off in fun challenges that blend knowledge with creativity. It’s a lively finale that builds teamwork, sharpens critical thinking, and celebrates the joy of discovery.
Discover
Students step into the Middle Ages by designing their own coats of arms. As they learn about colours, animals, and symbols, they create shields that express their personality and values. This imaginative activity introduces them to medieval identity, heraldry, and life in castles.
Develop
In “Castle Bootcamp,” students explore how castles were built, strengthened, and defended. They put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test by designing a mini catapult and experimenting with attack and defence strategies — gaining hands-on insight into medieval engineering and innovation.
Dare
The afternoon brings action with Medieval Sports and Games. From tug of war to archery and bowls, students experience how people in the Middle Ages played, competed, and celebrated together — all while learning teamwork, strategy, and friendly competition.
Showtime
The day concludes with Castle Conquests! Using their new knowledge, students construct castles from creative materials and test their strength against simulated sieges and storms. Teams proudly present their designs, celebrating creativity, teamwork, and the joy of bringing history to life.
Campus
Learn more about where you’ll be studying on the Young Explorers programme.
Ages 8-12
Camp Dragon
Located in leafy North Oxford, Camp Dragon is our campus for enthusiastic learners aged 8-12. Camp Dragon courses take place at the Dragon School, a renowned independent school in a picturesque neighbourhood just a mile from the centre of Oxford. With its modern facilities and expansive grounds, this campus offers the perfect environment for exploration and learning.
The Young Explorers programme runs for two weeks, offering an immersive and engaging experience for children aged 8 to 12. The cost of the programme is £3,995, which includes all lessons, activities, accommodation, meals, and excursions.
There are two start dates available: 13th July and 27th July 2026. Each programme lasts two weeks.
The programme is hosted at the Dragon School in Oxford, a prestigious school with top-tier facilities designed for young learners.
The programme welcomes students with a pre-intermediate level of English (A2+) or higher. This ensures that participants can fully engage in lessons and activities while improving their language skills.
Students benefit from over 15 hours of structured lessons each week. These are complemented by interactive projects and practical applications to solidify learning in a fun and engaging way.
The curriculum is broad and covers English, Mathematics, Science, History, and Art and Design. The thematic approach integrates these subjects into creative, hands-on learning experiences.
Each day follows a unique theme explored through four stages: Discover (introduction to the theme), Develop (building knowledge), Dare (applying skills in challenges), and Showtime (presenting and celebrating achievements). This structure ensures a dynamic and enriching experience.
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