Most Important Things to Take along to NYSC Orientation Camp. Check it Out!!!

Hi prospective Otondo and Otondo to be, As a new batch would be off to the NYSC orientation camp very soon. So for the love I have for you all as a tiny expert in that area. I will be giving some tips on what you need and not need in camp.

So Today’s post is concerning things you just can’t live without in camp except you intend on borrowing or stealing? (hmmm) .

1.      PHOTOCOPIES OF YOUR DOCUMENTS: just make up to 10-12 copies of every document required. There would be photocopiers at the nysc orientation camp at maami market but trust me, it is double the price and it saves time. So do the photocopies from home. Statement of Result (Original and Photocopies), School ID Card (Original and Photocopies), Call up letter e.tc.

2.      COPIES OF PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS: This is very important. From experience i would say 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. Make them from home because it is super expensive in camp.

3.      CALL UP LETTER: This is a vital part of camp and the only evidence that you are a corper (otondo) and you are not impersonating anyone. So if at all you even forget your luggage (lol) never forget this. Word of advice —-keep it like it’s your life, do not laminate it o. i know someone who was sent back because she forgot hers and also someone who had to beg and beg before his letter was collected because he laminated his own copy.  So please o avoid all these stress and make enough copies of this letter like 10

4.      STATIONERY: 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. Staplers are very important but if at all you could bring them, be sure to run after people to get it back because the whole camp would want to use it. 

5.      ROUND-NECKED WHITE T-SHIRTS: this is an essential outfit in camp in fact in most camps this is the only allowed cloth to be worn throughout your 3 weeks. Even to church, you might not be allowed to wear colored 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 let say like at least 3. Word of advice:  do not carry more than one colored clothe because you won’t need it at all. 

6.      WHITE SHORTS: i beg you please do bring yours; 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 my dear otondos bring like 4 pairs of shorts.  Trust me also you won’t like to wash every day ,so bring enough to last you like 3 days so that you won’t be stranded. 

7.      PLAIN WHITE SNEAKERS/TENNIS SHOES: This is a very important outfit. You would also be given a pair of low quality oversized tennis shoes customized for nysc. Its either you are not given your size or after the first wash it starts tearing. So just buy yours. They also sell this in camp, so 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 because they know you have no choice than to buy. It would be great if you get a “rubber white sneakers” for like N500 so can you can easily wash and clean when dirty.

8.      WHITE SOCKS: Just get extra pairs. You would also be given 2 pairs.

9.       A PAIR OF BATHROOM SLIPPERS: Would be useful when going to have your bath or use the toilet, apart from those two places you wouldn’t need the slippers.

10. 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. Also the water can be dirty. Most people always have reaction to it.

11.  MOSQUITO NET:  You do not want to fall sick in camp from malaria. Just bring yours. Also bring ropes you would use to tie it o.  I also used mine as a room to protect my box and properties from thieves and also from some insects and ants  

12. OTHERS: Towel, bed sheets Pillow Cases and A Pillow. You could also get pillow from mammy market. 

13.  NOVEL/ MOTIVATIONAL BOOK: For those who get bored easily , please carry some . And for guys PSP, chess, playing cards,also iPod and mp3.

14.  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, washer woman,  pleasures(Necessary and Unnecessary), Platoon contributions  e.t.c NOTE—- you won’t be allowed to leave camp o. So do not be stranded, trust me not a good idea. Just budget like 500-1000 per day. You could carry your ATM in case.  

15.  ALMIGHTY WAIST POUCH/BAG: Very very essential. This served as my bank and locker for important items. Things like phones, money, ID card, keys, ATM cards e.t.c I even know someone who sleeps with her own on because of people on the loose to steal.  

16. TORCHLIGHT OR RECHARGEABLE LAMPS: Most or in fact all camps do not give light except at a specific time of the day. It is 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 mammy, there is always light till they close. You can charge them there at a little fee. I think just a small torch light would do so as to avoid plenty loads. 

17.  BASIC DRUGS: like panadol or paracetamol, allergy medicine, menstrual pain drug, nausea relief drugs, antibiotics e.t.c . The camp clinic is always inadequately filled with drugs so help yourself.

18.  PADLOCKS: please lock your boxes and bags to avoid regrets and crying o . i know people who lost things to thieves due to carelessness

19.  Handkerchief or Face towel- BRING from home. There will be BUCKETS of sweating. Do yourself a favor

20.   Toiletries/Sanitary Pad ,Toilet paper- BUY in Mami Market. The bathroom situation - well, I'll give tips in another post - but you do need toilet paper. Always carry around with you, just in case...

21.  Bucket, soap dish (buy at the camp site, don’t stress yourself taking one to the place, they always sell in the camp) 

  

22.  PLATE, BOWL AND CUP, CUTLERY: For eating. Important for those who intend on eating camp food.  

 Big Advice: Try and pack all these above into one box... It is not advisable to bring heavy and multiple boxes because of space and the drills you would do when entering the camp. Be warned.