If you’ve been mobilized for NYSC, there are a few items you should be aware of and carry with you to camp. Many graduates show up at orientation camp without knowing what to pack or what to expect.

Apparently, as water is to life, that is how these things should be very crucial. You need to have a thinking mindset of what to give out, what to bring and everything in between. In this essay, I’ll tell you all you need to know about orientation camp supplies. Just to be clear, I’m going to present them in order of priority.

What to Bring to Camp

• CALL UP LETTER: This is an important part of camp enrollment because it is the only proof that you are a potential corps member (colloq., Corper, or Otondo) and not trying to impersonate anyone. They will take it from you and not return it, so don’t be alarmed if this happens. You are not permitted to forget this under any circumstances, even if you forget your luggage.
• Registration Records: If you are a foreign graduate, bring the original certificates that you uploaded (via the NYSC Portal) with you for physical verification/evaluation. They include:
• PHOTOCOPIES OF YOUR DOCUMENTS: Make approximately five copies of each document requested. There would be copy machines in camp at Mammy Market, but trust me, they are double the price and take twice as long.
• PASSPORT Photos: This is critical. Take as many as you can in white backgrounds, roughly 20 in total. You’d need these for various types of registration. For example, skill development groups, religious groups, sports, redeployment, bank account opening, and so forth may require you to submit one or more passport photographs.
• CERTIFICATES/LICENSES: Doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and lab scientists should bring proof of qualification. Graduates of Medicine and Pharmacy are expected to acquire Certificates of Registration from the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (NMDCN) and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN).
• ROUND-NECKED WHITE T-SHIRTS: This is a required uniform in camp; in fact, in most camps, this is the only clothing allowed to be worn for the duration of your three weeks. You may not be permitted to wear colorful clothing to church. At camp, you would be given two pairs of white t-shirts to complete all righteousness, which would never be your size, especially our very slender and little otondo size. As a result, you should pack extra pairs (6). Why? Because you won’t have time to wash your clothes during the week after being stressed out by parades and Man-O-War exercises.
• WHITE SHORTS: Please, please, please bring yours. You will also be handed two pairs of shorts that are of terrible quality. They rip easily, which can be aggravating. So, my beloved Otondos, bring at least four pairs of shorts. Trust me, you won’t want to wash every day, so carry enough to last you three days so you don’t get stranded.
• SNEAKERS/TENNIS SHOES IN WHITE: This is an extremely crucial attire. You would also be handed an unappealing pair of low-quality white tennis shoes that had been specially designed for NYSC. It’s either that you’re not provided your size, even though you can trade with someone who is. However, after the first wash, it begins to tear. So go ahead and get yours (white). They also sell this in camp, so if you are unable to obtain it, you can buy it in camp. The price will be higher – as with everything in Mammy – because they know you have no choice but to buy it. If you have the chance to camp during the rainy season (Batch ‘B’ & ‘C’), purchase white rubber sneakers or boots, especially if you’re sent to the South (especially the South South). The parade fields and Mammy Market will be ruined as a result of the rain.
• CASH: This is crucial. You’d require roughly N20,000, not including transportation to and from the camp. Then, to be “just” comfortable, budget between N30,000 and N40,000. For those who can afford it, say N15,000 Money is spent on a variety of things, including food (for those who do not intend to eat from the camp kitchen), energy drinks, recharge cards, electrical device charging, laundry, pleasures, and so on.
• ATM card: you won’t be able to leave camp. So, unless you have an ATM card, you may be stranded when you run out of cash. Spend no more than N1,000 per day. You should bring your ATM card just in case. (This may seem counter-intuitive, given that there may be no ATMs in your camp and you are not permitted to leave.) However, remember that some stores don’t have point-of-sale systems, but if you keep your extra cash in the Accounts Department, you can get extra cash whenever you need it. This was the case in my camp.
• Others: You should include any other necessary items.
  • Beverages
  • Sunglasses
  • batteries or rechargeable Touchlights.
  • Cuttleries include plates, spoons, forks, cups and bowls.
  • Handkerchief
  • a bedsheet, a pillowcase, and a pillow
  • Slippers
  • Towel
  • Bucket
  • Toilet Tissues
  • Detergent
  • Antisceptics
  • Soaps, sponges, toothbrushes and toothpaste
  • Mosquito Net
  • Basic Drug
  • Pad Lock
  • Waist Pouch
  • Pad Lock
  • White Socks
  • Ben, book, paper, and chewing gum
  • Green Card
  • Final year or official school identity card.
  • Certificate or Result Notification