Koalas, Curiosity and Courage

As the week continued at Camp Dragon, spirits remained high on what turned out to be another exciting and fulfilling day for everyone on site. The summer weather provided the perfect setting—bright, warm, and ideal for the wide range of activities taking place. There’s a real buzz in the air, with students feeling settled, energised, and increasingly confident in their surroundings.

In the classroom, the spotlight was on Drama. Students spent the day coming up with ideas for original scenes, which they later performed in front of their peers. This creative exercise stretched imaginations and gave students a chance to push past their comfort zones. For many, it was a completely new experience, and it was heartening to see how proud they were of themselves by the end of the session. In their reflection books, several students noted that they had never really considered drama before, but enjoyed challenging themselves and found the process both exciting and rewarding. It was a clear reminder of how valuable these sessions can be in building self-belief and resilience.

Out and about, students enjoyed an educational and eye-opening trip to the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, accompanied by their PALs. With its fascinating collection of objects from around the globe, the museum sparked a lot of curiosity and questions. As they wandered through the exhibits, many were struck by the sheer range of cultures and histories on display. It was a chance not just to learn, but to think more deeply about how people across the world live and have lived—and how museums like this one help us understand our shared history.

Back on campus, the afternoon brought a real highlight: the much-anticipated Staff Safari. This inventive wellbeing and social activity turned the playground into a safari zone, with staff members cleverly disguised as various animals. Working in small teams, students set out to track down all four animals, collecting tokens and points along the way. But it wasn’t as simple as just finding them—they had to answer animal-themed questions to earn their reward. One of the favourites came from the Koala: “How many hours do I sleep in a day?” The answer, 22 hours, got a great reaction. The activity had everyone laughing, moving around, and working together, all while learning a few unexpected animal facts.

By the end of the day, students were clearly enjoying the variety in their schedule, moving smoothly between creative expression, educational exploration, and playful teamwork. Even students who might not naturally gravitate towards certain activities were stepping up, joining in, and surprising themselves.

As always, the atmosphere at Camp Dragon remains upbeat and supportive. With each new experience, students are becoming more open to trying new things, building friendships, and making memories they’ll take home with them.