The first few days at Camp Dragon have set a vibrant tone for the week ahead. The atmosphere on campus has been full of energy and enthusiasm as students began to settle into their routines and embrace the adventure. The weather has been mild and comfortable, helping everyone make the most of their time outdoors and on excursions. Spirits are high, and there’s already a strong sense of camaraderie building among the students.
One of the most memorable moments so far has been the Sorting Hat ceremony, where students were placed into their Camp Dragon teams: Red, Blue, Green, or Yellow. Once sorted, they got to work creating their team mascot — a dragon in their team’s colour — complete with a name, a backstory, and original artwork. Each team brought their dragon to life in a unique way: the Red team was recognised for the most creative dragon, Green for the scariest, Yellow for the most awesome (thanks to the impressive detailing on the tail), and Blue for best illustrations. The activity was fun, imaginative, and a brilliant way to kick off team bonding — as well as the all-important collection of Dragon Points.
After the mascot challenge, students spent time reflecting on their day in their personal reflection books. This quiet moment allowed them to think back on what they’d experienced and prepare for the days ahead. They then had the opportunity to choose their own evening activity. Whether they opted for football, basketball, making friendship bracelets, or working with Lego, it was lovely to see students relaxing and doing something that sparked their interest. These informal activities gave everyone a chance to connect with peers outside their classrooms and enjoy themselves in a relaxed setting.
In the academic sessions the following day, the focus was on Geography. Students explored where they come from using a large world map, pinpointing their home countries and getting to know more about each other’s backgrounds. With a class made up of students from across the globe, it was a wonderful way to highlight the diversity of the Camp Dragon community. They also discussed major cities and iconic landmarks, considering what makes certain places special and why some cities were chosen as capitals. The discussions were lively and full of curiosity — a brilliant start to building global awareness and encouraging intercultural exchange.
The afternoon brought a change of scene as students headed into Oxford for their first city adventure. They hopped aboard the Oxford Bus Tour, travelling through the heart of the city while learning about its key landmarks and historical points of interest. For many students, it was their first time in Oxford, and the guided tour offered a great introduction to the city’s character and charm. The outing also tied in nicely with the morning’s lessons, giving real-world context to their exploration of cities and famous places.
Throughout all of this, the atmosphere has remained upbeat and supportive. Students are already beginning to form new friendships and feel more confident navigating both the campus and the new experiences coming their way. The combination of creative team tasks, interactive academic learning, and off-campus exploration has provided a balanced and exciting start to their time at Camp Dragon.
As we look ahead to the rest of the week, it’s clear that the students are ready for whatever comes next — whether it’s earning more Dragon Points, exploring another part of Oxford, or simply enjoying time with new friends. The foundations are already in place for a memorable and enriching summer.