Packing for NYSC orientation Camp

Packing for NYSC orientation CampGetting ready to go to the NYSC orientation camp is a bit confusing, primarily because it’s your first and only time. Sometimes the misguided assumption is that its just three weeks so anything will be okay, That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Assuming that you would have the time to wash your clothes often, or the confidence to spread them out to dry ( we cant assume that a university degree certifies an individuals honesty or decency ) may be catastrophic.
The NYSC orientation camp is extremely tedious, some camps far more than others. After a week of gruelling exercises which may include saturdays too, you may not be too enthusiastic about looking for the usually scarce water ( clean or unclean )and baking under the hot sun while you wash. This doesn’t mean that you won’t wash, but somehow you have to ensure that you reduce the number of times you’ll need to wash during the orientation camp to the barest minimum.
With this at the back of your mind here are some priceless things that you should have in abundance when you go to the orientation camp
? White ‘t-shirts’ : as many as possible, you’ll need them, you’ll usually be safe from any ‘dress-code’ problems if you have a lot of these
? White Shorts : These are supposed to come with your kit, but wisdom or experience will teach you not to rely on the ‘wearability’ of these. In other words, buy a couple for yourself.Three or Four will be enough to get you by, but you can have a few extra if it wont be a bother.
? Underwear : Whatever this is for you (male or female ) these should also not be in short supply. As absurd as it is, people actually steal these so you may not be too excited about washing and spreading. Ensure that you have enough. ‘Enough’ would depend on your perceived level of personal hygiene
? A torch light : Whatever happens you’ll need this. Whilst the company in charge of distributing power clearly identifies itself as power ‘holding’ , assuming that your orientation camp will have electricity is a bit too much. Take a torch light , and a good supply of batteries
? Camping Jacket : This is a bit more than the average sweater or woollen pull-over, its more like what you see ski competitors put on. The reason is that depending on what part of the country you are sent to, this may literally just save your life. All of the northern states are reputed to be quite cold ( remember that your day begins between 5:00 am and 5:30am ), Plateau state is extremely cold . I’ll recommend that anyone deployed to plateau state should go adequately prepared.
? Disinfectants : Water is scarce and hardly ever clean so it is wise to go with this and avoid the usual rashes and reactions that occur before your body adapts- if it ever does.
? Waist Pouch : This will act as your central bank, personal vault and secure safe. It will go with you to the bathroom ( after a brief stop over at the toilet ), march with you on the parade ground and sleep with you when the day is over. Anything that would have gone into your wallet or purse before the orientation camp will go here. Get a good, strong one and keep it close.
NYSC Registration at the orientation camp can be very challenging, especially if you have no idea about how strenuous it can easily become. When you receive your NYSC posting letter from your tertiary institution there’s a list of required documents on it.
It is EXTREMELY important that you have ALL these documents. NYSC officials will not usually be interested in listening to whatever tales or stories that you may have put together. It is better to get to your orientation camp with every document . Ensure that there is no discrepancy with names , grades etc the easier your documents are to understand the better for you. Here are some other important tips :
Items such as knives, bottles, electric boilers. Electric irons etc are not allowed within the orientation camp. They are usually seized during the search process ( that takes place before your registration ) carried out by armed policemen. Usually it is expected that these items are returned after the orientation camp, but there is no guarantee of this, so it is easier if you avoid bringing them to the camp.
Depending on how your camp is structured registration should be over within a day but this may not always be the case. As is the case with all such things, those that arrive early have an advantage. They get to pick prime bed spaces and have a less stressful registration period. So it is wise to get to your camp as early as possible. People have been known to arrive at their camps days before, I personally consider this unnecessary but if you dont have a better option you may choose to do this.
As an aside , for the female folk, you are not expected to be pregnant. It automatically disqualifies you from being eligible for mobilization. I’ve heard that in some camps , pregnancy tests are carried out. Funny enough, some people get pregnant just after the camp and carry the pregnancy through the service year so one wonders the purpose of this rule ( apart from the obvious health hazard of going through the strenuous camp, but in that case pregnant women should be exempted from t, but those are the rules , simply obey.
So to summarise everything, take all the required documents and any other thing NYSC has asked for, arrive at your camp in time and settle down early. Please read the page on some simple but vital things that will ease your camping experience, you’ll be surprised.