Handy Guide to NYSC Orientation Camp

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How did you feel when you where called that the most anticipated call up letter is out?

Yeah you where excited, thrilled and at the same time fearful. Yes you where fearful hoping that you will not be posted to places you have prayed and fasted about. Well for some it is not. I mean for those who have gone extra length in making sure they are at the right place.

Ok now that you have your call up letter, and you have seen the state you are posted to. Congratulations because many wish to be in your shoe. I know the next thing you want to do is to ask people about the location of the state orientation camp, not only that, you will even seek for others in the same posting state. It’s normal. But be calm and read on. Depending on your school, if you should look around you will notice people selling things you need in camp.

Advice number 1

Don’t buy anything from them if you wish to free yourself from load when going to camp. Everything you need, i mean everything is sold in camp market(mami market)

Lets continue..

Now as for the camp location, the address is written on your call up letter and if you think it’s not clear visit NYSC website for camp addresses

Advice number 2

1. Don’t take any contraband stuff with you, the officials will seize. Like i said earlier be light when coming to camp
2. Take only cloths you will put on Sunday. Every day you will only be allowed to put on white top and short except on Sunday and on Sunday by 4pm you will have to return to your white. (white fowl) that's what they caall corpers in camp.
3. Buy some few pairs of white tops and shorts. They will give you there after you complete your registrations. But try buy sha because of size!!!
4. You need a shoe, they will give you there also but you need to have extra because of stain (depending on the camp). I bought a white rubber shoe. it was every easy to wash
5. Remember i said everything you ever will need is sold in mami market.

Advice number 3.. (Things you must not forget to bring along with you to camp)

1. Call up letter (original and few photocopies)
2. Statement of result (original)
3. Certificate of origin (optional)
4. Birth certificates(optional)
5. Passport (30 copies should be enough).
6. School id card (original and photocopies)

Advice number 4 (things you will need to survive in camp)

1. Stationeries
2. Slippers
3. Dettol
4. Mosquito net
5. Toiletries
6. Waist pouch/bag(mobile savings bank)
7. Rechargeable lamp
8. Warmer/small cooler for food except you intend eating always at mami
9. Bucket
10. Drugs
11. Cash ( we will talk about this later)
12. Bed sheet
13. Padlocks for your bags
14. Many others not mentioned

Remember you can get all this things in mami market so save yourselves the stress of too much loads

IN CAMP:

When you get to the main gate, you will be checked thoroughly by camp officials. After the checking, ask them where to go. (Always ask questions). Don’t form i to know in camp else you miss your way.

On your entrance into the orientation camp, you will meet some people with tags helping Corpers to take their bags to a save place. These are the NCCF brethren (To know more about NCCF, click here HISTORY OF NCCF). Let them help you with your bags or carry it alone and follow them to the fellowship centre. They have a pattern of arranging bags for new Corp member until they have secured a place to stay.

Advice number 5

Do not wait after some days to go to orientation camp after the opening day

Those who go camp early don’t struggle for registration

Registration has different stages so ask questions (from Corp members who are through or the officials attending to you)

You will meet people so try and mingle but be watchful

When your bags are safe with NCCF or other means you have use to safe guide it, then proceed to registration ground. Some camp gives bed even before your registration while some don’t until you’re through with registration. Ask questions. If they give bed, then go and get a bed and seek for hostel that is comfortable to you. If you have secure a place for your bed, try and tidy the bunk with your mosquito net or other things so that others coming will know the place is taken.

Advice number 6

1. Until you are through with registration, still leave your bag with NCCF or if you think your bags will be safe in your new bunk, then move it there.
2. Remember to padlock your bags and carry your waist pouch with you always until the last day in camp.
3. Depending on the camp, there are little children that steal money/items. They move around looking for whom to devour. My friend was a victim (be careful)
4. After registration is over, these are the few things you must know.
5. You eat three times a day (depending on the camp you might not like the food)
6. Many things take away money from you. Such as charging of phones, recharge cards, washing of cloths, getting hot water, junks, books, friends etc)
7. They wake you up as early as 4am
8. If you know you don’t have body odour, just brush your teeth, wear your whites and go down to the parade ground. They will give you time to refreshing up after morning drills
9. After getting a place to lay, and you have been giving your Corp member uniform, don’t rush for any other registration. Until the last person register, registration will not close.
10. Meet people, make friends
11. Worship at NCCF.  Its not a church, it is a place where believer from different denomination come together to worship God in the name of Jesus.
12. Follow camp rule and you will be free from trouble
13. Depending on the camp, some don’t have good toilets and bath room (manage it)
14. Join a group in camp, there is an added advantage (i won’t reveal the advantage to prevent flooding the groups in camp)
15. Take enough money with you... “5k+camp food”, “10k+camp food and junks”, “15k+camp food+junks+photographs and others”, “20k+ camp food+junks+photographs and others”,“30k+camp food(optional), mami food, books, photographs etc
16. 19800 Allawee and other token will be given to you on camp after some days.
17. have fun in camp
18. Pray for grace and mercy in camp. Camp life is one experience you might never forget in a hurry.
19. Listen to OBS (orientation camp broadcasting service)news

Things that might likely happen to you in camp that you wont like.

1. Early morning drilling
2. Sitting and standing under the hot sun
3. Endurance trek
4. Platoon activities
5. Inability to have quiet time
6. etc.

If there are other things missing or not right in this guide, please contact me for modification.. Don’t forget to like this blog on facebook or google+