Essentials Corp Members Needed During NYSC Orientation Camp

Camp wear

The national youth service corp (NYSC) programme is divided into four phase. The first phase is the orientation camp. The programme stretch through three weeks. All prospective corp members (PCM) are expected to be in the camp within two days from the commencement. They sleep and do everything within the camp.
To enable you to register for the camp, you need some vital documents. This have been covered in my previous post. However, to make the camp a little bit comfortable, you need to go along with certain essential. But first, you need to know what the government will provid when you get there.
There is three-square meal daily for the next 21 days. There is also toilet and bathroom. The camp should be connected to the national grid and also an electric generator. Water should not be an issue. But you have to provide the rest for yourself. So below are things you may be needing. You canl get them at home at lesser price or buy them in the camp Mami market at an exorbitant rate.
Read Also: Essential documents needed to register at NYSC orientation camp

Very Important Essentials

Waist bag

This is a small pulse that house all your small valuables. It is worn around the waist or hang on the neck. You can wear it anywhere in the camp even during parade. It should be close to your bed when sleeping. You can put your automated teller machine (ATM) card, cash, biro, pocket notebook, phones, power bank, etc inside.

Identity Card Holder

Very important. They require that you put on your identity card on you at all times. The only way to do it is by using an identity card holder.

Toiletries

This include toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, sponge, bucket, detergent, toilet paper, small towel, and slippers. A small paste of about 100 naira should do for those who brush once a day otherwise buy the bigger size. You may bath more than usual due to the level of activities in camp. If you use one soap in a week at home, double the number by two. The bucket is for flushing water cistern (WC) that is faulty after use and to wash your clothes. Take enough detergent with you as that is what you will use to wash your clothes and food flask. The toilet paper should be double the size you use at home. This is because change in environment can make some to have diarrhea or suffer from constipation. Unfortunately, living with people before camp can not give you an idea the quantity you have been using weekly. The towel should not be too big to reduce load. It is just a three weeks thing. And lastly, the slippers is only for bathing as you can't use it outside the hostel. Don't forget to go with a comb or hair brush. You can also go with a brush for your shoes to wash them.

Eatery

The food serve during NYSC orientation programme is the same in all the camp. So what worked for me should work for you. Camp does not provide plate and spoons. You are expected to come with yours. Since the camp kitchen maybe far from the hostel where you may want to eat the food, you should consider going with a small food flask. The size matters. The quantity of the food is small but more than the space available in the smallest food flask I saw at the camp. It should not be too small if not you will not be serve the full dose. There are times too the food is more than those who are interested to eat, they will then dish it in excess. Having a big food flask has some advantages. However, it will add to the load when going to camp. You can decide to use normal plate if you can eat it there. You can ignore this if you will buy food all through your stay. But remember, camp food is more expensive. The food flask should contain two compartment. The lower compartment can house soup and the upper part takes care of eba. You can remove the upper part to accommodate a single food such as rice. Also, go along with your spoon. It does not matter the size. One thing I saw a lot of people with is cup. To reduce load, I did not go with one and I never regretted my decision. I did not need it and I was able to cope and survive without one.

Money

Go along with cash including your ATM card. Make sure there is money in the account with ATM card. The amount you may spend throughout your stay in camp will depends on what you spend money on. On average, go with twenty thousand naira.

Wears

You will be provided with two white T shirt and shorts of low quality. However, it will last you for the three weeks programme and beyond. The only problem is you may not be able to wash them as often as they get dirty because that will be your official wear throughout your stay here. You may need to go along with two more. Same goes for the sock and the white tennis shoe. If you are deployed during raining season, you need to buy a rubber shoe. If not, the NYSC tennis show will get bad quick. Also, get a bed sheet, pillow case and a cardigan for cold times. You may not be allowed to wear it on your official cloth if the colour is not white. But you can always use it in your room. And don't also forget your wrapper, small towel to save space and one casual wear. I said one because I made the mistake of taking more along and I never used them. Some camps may allow casual wears on Sundays to church but some frown at it.

Documentation

Throughout the camp, you will receive training and lectures. To remember some key points, you need to write them down. For that, you need pen and notebook.

Gadgets

You need your phone. You need a good phone with camera that can capture moments alive. You also need a phone with backup battery. To achieve this, you may get a power bank or a small backup phone with long battery life. Some came with small speakers to light up the mood at night.

Optional Items

Stationary

Gums, staple pins, marker and stapler are all part of the stationary. You may not need these things at all all or just once or so. For example, I only made two staple throughout my stay. To staple anything, they charge you N20. That is small compared to buying the machine. I never use gums and the staple pins always follow stapler. Gums can stand in place of stapler.

Protection

Your security is high here. However, the camp cannot prevent your from natural problem. Some camps are the habitat of mosquito. You may need a mosquito net if you want a good night sleep. Remember your nights are short. Losing some few hours every night to those animals can spoil the little fun left in camp. A crowded room with 30 or more occupants is a breeding ground for infection to spread. When sickness strikes, go to the camp clinic. However, the camp clinic is not man enough to provide quality service and drugs. In such a case, go along with your own drugs for minor infection. They include paracetamol, analgesic, antimalarial, antibiotics, etc. Whenever a drug is prescribed by the camp clinics and they don't have it, you can fall back to your own if you have it.
Read Also: The full NYSC anthem all corp members must sing everyday

Security

You are responsible for the safety of your properties. It is nobody's business. Get a small padlock and lock the the part of your box/bag containing big valuables that could not fit into your waist bag. Also, protect your eyes with sunglasses especially if you are posted to the North.

Ladies Essential

Ladies get problem o. They need to bring along more things. From pads or tampons to makeup kits. They know the rest. But make up kit is only needed on carnival and camp passing out parade. You may skip this. I added them to optional because some ladies may not experience flow during the three weeks because of they may know their timing.
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