As you prepare for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp, you must take note of these essential materials if you must make your stay in camp worthwhile:
PHOTOCOPIES OF YOUR DOCUMENTS: just make up to 10-12 copies of every document required. There would be photocopiers in camp at mami market but trust me, it is double the price and it saves time. Statement of Result (Original and Photocopies), School ID Card (Original and Photocopies).
COPIES OF PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS: This is very important. From experience, we advise you make up to 30. Reason being that you would need them at every registration point mostly. Then those of you who would likely redeploy, you would need more than others. It is always advisable to have extra copies of them too.
CALL UP LETTER: This is a vital part of camp and the only evidence that you are a corpsmember (otondo) and you are not impersonating anyone. so if at all you even forget, your luggage (laughs) never forget this. Word of advice —- keep it like its your life, do not laminate it. We know someone who was sent back because she forgot hers and also someone who had to beg severally before his letter was collected because he laminated his copy. So, avoid all these stress and make enough copies of this letter like 15.
STATIONERIES: BIRO, PAPER, GLUE, TIPPEX AND STAPLER: Yeah this saves time and lots of unnecessary begging. Also, do not forget to include pins in your stapler.
ROUND-NECKED WHITE T-SHIRTS: This is an essential outfit in camp. In fact, in most camps, this is the only approved uniform to be worn throughout your 3 weeks . Even to church, you might not be allowed to wear coloured cloths. You would be given 2 pairs of white T-shirts at camp to just fulfill all righteousness which surely would never be your size especially our very slim and small otondo in size. So, you can bring extra pairs (3). Word of advice: do not carry more than 2 pairs of coloured clothes because you won’t need it.
WHITE SHORTS: It’s advisable you come with at least two extra white shorts, you would also be given 2 pairs of shorts which are really poor in material. They tear easily and are thick . It can be annoying. So, our dear otondos bring like 4 pairs of shorts. Trust us, you won’t like to wash everyday, hence, bring enough to last you like 3 days so that you wont be stranded.
PLAIN WHITE SNEAKERS/TENNIS SHOES: These are very important outfits. You would also be given a pair of low quality tennis shoes, that is, NYSC customised. It’s either you are not given your size or it might be torn. So, just buy some while coming. They also sell this in camp in case you are not able to get you could buy in camp; just carry extra cash for that because the price would be higher since they know you have no choice than to buy.
WHITE SOCKS: Just get extra pairs. You would also be given 2 pairs in camp.
A PAIR OF SLIPPERS: This will be useful for bathing and doing other chores during camping.
DETTOL: This is very very essential. Firstly, the bathrooms can be very annoying and dirty and you would not like to have infection from camp. Bad idea? Yes, it is! Also, the water can be dirty. Most people always have reaction to it.
MOSQUITO NET: Sure, you wouldn’t want to fall sick in camp from malaria. Just bring yours. Also, bring ropes you would use to tie it to the wall. You may also use yours as a room to protect your box and properties from thieves and also from some insects and ants.
OTHERS: Towel, bed spreads, a pillow and its cover. You could also get pillow from mammy market but at a very high cost.
NOVEL: For those who get bored easily, you may please carry some literatures while coming. And for guys, PSP or chess should be preferable. Also iPod and Mp3 are additional materials you may wish to come along with.
CASH: Extremely important. you would need between 15000 – 20000 for the extravagant spenders, and for those that can manage say 10000-15000. There are lots of things that take up money. Things like food (for those who don’t intend eating camp food), recharge cards, charging of phones, pleasures etc.
NOTE—- You won’t be allowed to leave camp at will except in case of emergency, which is very rare. So, do not be stranded. Trust us, not a good idea. Just budget 1000 per day. You could carry your ATM card incase of miscellaneous.
ALMIGHTY WAIST POUCH/BAG: Very very essential . This served as your bank and locker for important items. Things like phones, money, ID card, keys, ATM cards etc. We even know someone who sleeps with hers on because of people on the loose to steal.
TORCHLIGHT OR RECHARGEABLE LAMPS: Most or in fact all camps do not give light except at a specific time of the day. It’s very essential especially at night when you need to use the bathroom, early in the morning when preparing for morning drills and meditations, at night in case you need to do anything. At mami, there is always light till they close. You can charge them there at a little fee.
BASIC DRUGS: Like panadol or paracetamol, allergy medicine, menstrual pain drug, nausea relief drugs, antibiotics etc. The camp clinic is always inadequately filled with drugs so help yourself.
PADLOCKS: Please lock your boxes and bags to avoid regrets and crying. We know people who lost things to thieves due to carelessness
Toiletries /Sanitary Pad. Bucket, soap dish (buy at the camp site, don’t stress yourself taking one to the place, they always sell in the camp).