It is okay to feel a mix of excitement and panic when preparing for your NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) orientation camp. I have not met anyone who wasn't worried they weren't packing the right stuff. Thankfully, this guide will help you find all the NYSC camp essentials you need and where to get them.
From the fun and the not-so-fun moments in the NYSC camp to the incredible and memorable experience, having these essentials will make your three-week stay seamless.
1. Your Documents
You can't complete your registration or gain entrance into the camp without your documents. You need the original versions and photocopies of the following documents:
NYSC Call-Up letter
Birth certificate
Degree/HND certificate
NYSC Exemption certificate (if necessary)
Local government indigene certificate
ID card
Passports
2. Clothing
You need specific clothing for camp uniforms and activities, casual clothes for the carnival, religious activities, and your brief stay outside the camp.
For camp activities, you need:
five white vests
five white shorts
a pair of white rubber shoes or tennis shoes
a waist pouch
nose mask, and
a white cardigan if you're prone to cold.
Read Also: 11 Laundry Detergents That Won't Fade Your Clothes.
3. Toiletries
Depending on your needs, you may pack your skincare and makeup products. But toiletries essentials include:
a towel
handkerchiefs
sanitary pads or tampons
bathing soap
tissues
toothbrushes
a potty (Sharing toilets with strangers? We don't recommend).
two buckets and
a pair of rubber slippers.
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4. Food and Food Packs
Considering the many activities you will have in camp, you should prioritise packing a reasonable amount of snacks and beverages. These will help you through strenuous paramilitary activities, long orientation, and SAED sessions and will be alternatives to unsavoury meals.
You also need food packs and cutlery to serve meals in the camp. A water bottle, two cups, plates, and a few pieces of cutlery will do.
READ ALSO: 5 Shocking Reasons Why You Should Never Store Food in Plastic
5. Devices
While laptops and other gadgets are not allowed, your smartphone, smartwatch, power bank, and earbuds are essential to staying connected and capturing moments. You also need a torchlight or lamp.
Read Also: These 9 Earbuds Cancel Noise for ₦30,000 and Under.
6. Other Essentials
You need a pen, jotters, pegs, bedsheets, a blanket, a pillow, a padlock, a marker, a mosquito net, and a substantial amount of money.
Where to Buy NYSC Orientation Camp Essentials
1. A+ NYSC Kits
If you plan to purchase a last-minute NYSC kit, A+ NYSC Kits on Instagram has been a reliable plug for many. According to customers, this brand responds and delivers swiftly without hassle.
There are different packages tailored to your needs and budget. The ₦28,000 clothing kits consist of the essentials, like a polo, shorts, socks, a waist bag, rubber shoes, a water bottle, and a body towel. There's a stationery kit at ₦7,000, a toiletry kit at ₦4,000, and a complete package that comprises all three kits at ₦38,000. You also get a complimentary gift per package.
Price: ₦38,000. Where to Buy: Shop A+ NYSC Kits.
2. Khaki Corper
Khaki Corper's Good to Go Kit, priced at ₦85,000, has everything you need for NYSC camp, from clothing to mosquito nets and stationery.
They also sew khaki uniforms tailored to your body measurements. This is important because you will be given just a set of khaki uniforms that may not fit.
Price: ₦85,000. Where to Buy: Shop Khaki Corper.
3. Koppa NYSC Kits
Whether you are on a budget or not, Koppa NYSC Kits has a kit (package) for everyone.
The Starter Kit, priced at ₦20,000, includes a 3-in-1 T-shirt, two shorts, Crocs, rubber sneakers, three socks, and one folder—the basic camp essentials.
The Survival Pack Kit, priced at ₦30,000, features three 3-in-1 t-shirts, two shorts, rubber and leather sneakers, a water bottle, a waist pouch, three socks, and one folder.
The Otondo Kit has a 3-in-1 t-shirt, two shorts, rubber sneakers, leather sneakers, a water bottle, a waist pouch, three socks, a face towel, one folder, an ID card holder, and a torchlight at the price of ₦35,000.
The Sharp Corper Kit is priced at ₦40,000 and includes a 3-in-1 T-shirt, three shorts, rubber or leather sneakers, a water bottle, a waist pouch, three socks, a face towel, a small bath towel, a clear file, an ID card holder, and a torchlight.
There are also packages for the rich kids: the Level-up kit, priced at ₦48,000, and the Odogwu kit, priced at ₦60,000.
Where to Buy: Shop Koppa NYSC Kits.
You can also get your NYSC kits OFFLINE at these places
4. Qeemah NYSC kit
Address: Osemene St, Shogunle, Ikeja 102214 Phone: 08105332713
5. Chuks NYSC Kits
Address: Phase 1, Oshodi Market, Super Bus-stop Phone Number: 07049489403
What Not to Bring to NYSC Orientation Camp
According to the list published on the NYSC website, laptops, pets, pressing irons, knives, boiling rings, gas cylinders, extension sockets, drugs, luxury items, alcohol, mattresses, televisions, etc., are considered contraband.
In Closing
I randomly asked corpers who recently left the NYSC orientation camp for an estimated amount to budget for a smooth camp experience. They all mentioned an amount ranging from ₦150,000 to ₦200,000. This covers shopping, transportation fees (if you're going by road), and the three-week camp experience.