Experienced staff provide care, encouragement and support 24 hours a day for children who are new to boarding life.
Explorer Programmes
AGES 8–12
Young Explorers at Camp Dragon
A supportive, adventure-filled summer at the Dragon School in Oxford — where children aged 8 to 12 build confidence, and discover new interests through a pedagogy of learning through play. All while making friends from around the world and supported by staff in a safe and caring environment.
- No.1 UK multi-campus summer school
- British Council accredited
- 155 nationalities (since 2008)
At a glance
- Fees from
- £4,095 2-wk residential · Day Programme £2,995
- Ages
- 8–12 Explorer Programmes tier
- Start dates
- 19th Jul & 2nd Aug Two-week sessions, 2027
- Class size
- 15 Max Students per class
- English level
- A2+ Minimum English level to enrol
- Academic hours
- 15 hrs Lessons per week
- Location
- Oxford Camp Dragon
What’s included: tuition, accommodation (residential option), meals, excursions, social programme, student report, certificate and student insurance.
Transfer service available for an additional fee.
Is this right for your child?
Discover, Develop, Dare at Camp Dragon
Young Explorers invites children aged 8–12 to enjoy a rich mix of English, maths, science, history, geography, drama, music, art and design through hands-on days that build confidence, curiosity and teamwork. Set at the Dragon School in Oxford, children take 15 hours of lessons each week in a fully English-speaking environment.
We don’t use traditional English lessons or coursebooks — every moment is a chance to learn, whether in class, on the playground or in the dining hall. Children are encouraged to be Safe, Brave and Curious.
- Every day follows four stages: Discover, Develop, Dare and Showtime
- Suitable from A2 English level, with all lessons and activities in English
- A safe, caring residential setting with pastoral staff available 24 hours a day
What you'll study
A day structured around Discover, Develop, Dare and Showtime
Every day is carefully structured to spark curiosity, build confidence and create lasting memories, opening with ‘Rise and Shine’ before moving through hands-on learning and themed activities.
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Stage 1
Discover
The day’s theme is introduced through creativity and play. Children might design a coat of arms while practising how to describe themselves in English on History Day, or investigate different biomes around the world on Geography Day. Every session is designed to spark curiosity — not test it.
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Stage 2
Develop
Students take the morning’s theme further — working together to build mini catapults, design rollercoasters, or experiment with different artistic techniques. English develops naturally because children are too busy collaborating, problem-solving and laughing with their teammates to notice they’re learning.
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Stage 3
Dare
Afternoons are where children step outside their comfort zone. Fencing, combat archery, dragon den building — activities chosen because they quietly build communication, resilience and the confidence that comes from trying something new and finding out you can do it.
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Stage 4
Showtime!
Teams present, perform and celebrate the day’s learning together. It might be a castle siege, a dramatic performance or a group presentation — but the result is always the same: children proving to themselves, their peers and their teachers that they are more capable than they thought.
The signature experience
Showtime
Every day builds toward Showtime, which celebrates learning through collaborative projects — students demonstrate creativity, teamwork and leadership, applying skills from the week.
These activities nurture confidence, problem-solving and achievement, giving every child the chance to shine in front of peers.
- Hands-on challenges: science experiments, maths escape rooms, coding robots and drumming sessions
- Public-speaking and performance confidence built daily through Showtime
Who it's for
Is Camp Dragon right for your child?
Camp Dragon is designed for children aged 8–12 who are ready to explore, grow and make international friendships in a safe and welcoming environment.
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It's their first time away from home.
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Your child is curious and adventurous.
Whether it’s a science experiment, performing in a show or a team challenge outdoors, your child will find something new to try every day.
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You want them to build English confidence while having fun.
With friends from many nationalities, children use English naturally all day—in lessons, games, and everything in between.
Sound like your child? This course was built for you
Outcomes
What your child leaves with
Young Explorers combines English-language development with play, discovery and hands-on adventure, helping children grow in confidence while exploring new interests and making friends from around the world.
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Certificate of Attendance
A personalised SBC certificate recognising participation in the two-week Camp Headington programme.
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Greater English Confidence
Regular practice speaking, listening, reading and using new vocabulary through meaningful projects, challenges and teamwork.
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Curiosity & Problem-Solving
Experience asking questions, examining information, testing ideas and working with others to find possible solutions.
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Independence & Teamwork
Opportunities to try new experiences, contribute to a group and become more independent within a supportive international community.
Independently recognised
The UK's leading multi-campus summer school — inspected, ranked and reviewed to prove it.
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No.1
Ranked the UK’s number 1 multi-campus summer school provider
EL Gazette
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15 / 15
Areas of strength, including student welfare and safeguarding (2018 Inspection)
British Council
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Excellent
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot by families
SBC STAFF
Meet some of the SBC team
SBC staff support students throughout their summer — in lessons, activities and daily life. They help students settle in, grow in confidence and make the most of their time with us, in a safe and friendly environment.
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Natalia Mavromoustaki
MA Careers Guidance, BSc Psychology
As a tutor, Natalia teaches through discussion, activities and real examples. "It's rewarding to see someone grow in confidence or find a real passion. Summer schools let students learn outside the classroom, build confidence and meet new people."
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Cas Slater
Office Coordinator
As Office Coordinator, Cas handles arrivals, departures, excursions and daily site running. "Watching students go from shy and overwhelmed to leading group presentations is inspiring. They get to know themselves, make friends for life and really come out of their shells."
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Olivia Clark
Theatre & Performance · University of Warwick
As Activity Leader, Olivia runs the daily sports, arts and evening activities. She studies Theatre and Performance at Warwick. "Knowing I played a part in watching students have fun, learn and try new things is very rewarding. You will make friends from all over the world."
Beyond the classroom
Dragon Adventures
Beyond the campus, Camp Dragon students embark on unforgettable adventures that bring learning and exploration to life, balancing excitement, culture and fun.
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Excursion
LEGOLAND, Windsor
Where creativity meets engineering, giving students the chance to enjoy thrilling rides and interactive learning zones.
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Excursion
Warwick Castle
History comes alive with dramatic performances, medieval towers and immersive exhibitions that spark imagination.
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Optional extra
Harry Potter World
Experience the magic of the wizarding world first hand — authentic sets, costumes and special effects from Hogwarts, available as an optional extra.
A day in the life
Rise and Shine to Showtime
Every day moves through Discover, Develop, Dare and Showtime. Here’s how a typical day at Camp Dragon runs — ending with juice, biscuits and lights out.
Roll over a moment in the timetable to see it — and what it’s really like.
Activities
- Arts & Crafts
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Board Games & Puzzles
- Circuit Training
- Creative Writing
- Cricket
- Film Festival
- Football
- Karaoke
- Murder Mystery
- Museums
- Photo Challenge
- Picnic in the Park
- Punting
- Rounders
- Silent Disco
- Taskmaster
- Trashion Show
- Volleyball
- Yoga
Outings & Excursions
A sample of what recent groups have done. Excursions vary by session.
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Oxford
Explore the historic city of Oxford! Students can choose to enjoy guided walks and museums visits, take part in outdoor activities around the city and university parks, or choose a trip to nearby Bicester Village for a world-class shopping experience.
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Warwick Castle
Step back in time with a visit to Warwick Castle, a spectacular medieval fortress offering history, scenic grounds, dungeons and epic shows that bring tales to life.
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Legoland
An exciting day of adventure awaits at LEGOLAND Windsor, filled with themed rides, creative fun, and interactive LEGO experiences.
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Harry Potter Studios – Optional Extra Only
A magical journey through the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter, where students can explore the sets, props, and secrets behind the films.
Safeguarding & welfare
Safe days, settled nights
Sending your child abroad is a big decision. So we start with your child’s wellbeing, and build everything else — lessons, activities, boarding life — around it.
- 24/7 On-site pastoral support
- 1:6 staff-to-student ratio
- 100% DBS-checked, trained residential staff
- 15/15 British Council areas of strength met (based on 2018 inspection)
Accommodation & campus
Live and learn at Camp Dragon
Camp Dragon takes place at the Dragon School in Oxford — a leafy, secure campus made for younger children, where everything is close together and there is always a friendly face nearby. For many children this is their first time away from home, so we keep the community small, warm and well looked after. Children sleep in comfortable boarding houses with our residential staff living alongside them, and girls and boys stay in separate rooms. It is a safe, gentle first step into boarding life — with plenty of fun along the way.
- Adventure Playground
- Art Studio
- Boys & Girls Housed Seperately
- Classrooms
- Dorm Rooms
- House Common Rooms
- Laundry Service
- Modern Dining Hall
- Playing Fields
- Shared Bathrooms
- Sports Hall
- Swimming Pool
- Theatre
- Wifi
Why SBC
Trusted, accredited and part of Dukes Education
Dates & fees
Two weeks of discovery.
Whether your child boards with us or returns home each evening, your fee covers everything in their programme. See what’s included with each option below.
Residential
From £4,095
per 2-week course · Boarding — full days plus evenings and weekends
- Full board — all meals & accommodation included
- Multi-activity programme
- Evening activities & excursions
- 24/7 pastoral care
Non-residential
From £2,995
per 2-week course · 09:00–20:00 daily · varies by campus
- Same academic programme as residential
- Lunch & evening meals included
- Full activity programme and excursions
- Return home in the evening
2027 dates
Flexible lengths
2 or 4-week options available
Programme start dates
19th July & 2nd August
Places are limited and allocated on a first-come basis. Check availability before you plan.
Places can start to fill from spring — book early
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Students require a minimum English level of A2+ to enrol onto this programme.
All residential staff are DBS-checked and trained, with 24/7 pastoral care and British Council–accredited safeguarding procedures.
No. Camp Dragon is a Summer Boarding Courses programme. We use the facilities at Dragon School in Oxford so younger students can learn and stay in a safe, welcoming setting, but the camp is designed and delivered by Summer Boarding Courses. Summer Boarding Courses contracts the use of these facilities and has no formal connection with Dragon School, and the school does not deliver, partner in, or endorse our programmes.
Explore before you enquire
Take the detail home
No call, no pressure. Just the documents that help you decide — sent straight to your inbox.
Academic Overview
Every module, the learning outcomes and how the programme builds over the fortnight.
Free PDF download
Sample Timetable
A full fortnight, hour by hour — lessons, activities and excursions. Please note that timetables are given as an example and are subject to change.
Free PDF download
Dates & Fees
Full pricing, what's included, and when the programmes take place
IGNITE YOUR SPARK
Arrange a free consultation
Our friendly Student Experience team are happy to answer any questions, big or small, and help you find the best summer experience for your child — no pressure, ever.
What happens after you enquire
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Step 1
We read it personally.
A member of our Student Experience team reviews your enquiry.
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Step 2
You're matched with an advisor.
Someone who knows this course and can answer your specific questions.
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Step 3
We arrange a call.
Phone or video, at a time that suits you, to talk through dates, options and any concerns.
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Step 4
You decide — no pressure.
We help you find the right fit. You book when you're ready.
One student's summer
Fares
Student · SBC at Canford · France
Every class is lots of fun and interesting
Alexander
Student · Russia
My daughter had a fantastic first-time experience
Zeynep
Parent · Camp Dragon · Turkey
155+
Nationalities represented since 2008
21,000+
Alumni since 2008
№1
UK multi-campus summer school (ranked by EL Gazette)