Going to camp requires some preparation and not knowing what to prepare for could ruin the camping experience. read through for all you need to know about NYSC Orientation Camp.

Every corps member will be made to pass through the four sections of the National Youth Service Year. The NYSC orientation camp experience is the first and interesting experience to corps members. Some say it’s stressful though, but fun-filled. When graduating students have been mobilized, received their call-up letter and date for the orientation camp fixed, they are allowed three or four days from commencement of the orientation camp to report in camp and get registered. After the deadline, no prospective corps member will be allowed into the camp. Hence, the person remains a “prospective” corps member. So it is important to arrive the camp early enough so as to be able to complete your registration on time. The camp is also important in order to fulfill the objectives of the orientation camp.

The Orientation Camp

The necessary arrangements for a successful registration and camp experience must have been put in place by the NYSC authorities before the arrival of the corps members. Different registration points are organize to take you through the various stages of registration and during which corps members are expected to corporate with the registration officials and to be patient with the process. The NYSC officials are there to guide and direct you on anything you may not understand and to train you. So, whenever you are confused about anything, feel free to ask them any question you may want to ask.

Consider the camp a small town as all the facilities you will need is made available there. When you need to buy anything, you visit the mini market. When things begin to get a little daisy with your health, there is a clinic available for you to visit. There is provision of accommodation, bed/mattresses, food, water and kitting for corps members. And, just in passing, those facilities are also at the disposal of the officials to use.

Things to note about registration

During the registration process, the following documents will be requested from you by the registration officials:

• Your call-up letter (please do not laminate this document)
• Your last institutions ID card
• Original certificates/statement of result

When the above mentioned document has been screened, the following will be given to you:

• State code number (just for you and not to be shared)
• A meal ticket (or meal card)
• A file in which you can put all your credentials
• Registration of your name in what is referred to as the “Book Of Life”
• The NYSC officials will supervise you in filling of the series of NYSC forms.

You must be careful to read every instruction in every form, booklet or handout given to you before filling them. This is not a product privacy policy that you have no choice but to accept. Preferably, use capital letters in filling your forms for legibility purpose and make sure the information you provide on your forms are correct so they don’t contradict each other. All addresses provided must contain the house number, name of street, town name and possibly the post office number.

Also try and display some level of maturity and self-component by waiting for your turn to get anything. What I’m saying in essence is queue up, please don’t scramble for anything.

Concerning meal tickets

Immediately after you are cleared from the screening point, you’ll be given your meal ticket. This ticket will allow feed during your stay at the orientation camp alone and not outside. Take good care of it as you may not eat from the camp if it gets missing and neither can you get from someone else to eat as this card is not transferable and replaceable.

Concerning accommodation on camp

Every corps member is given a mattress and a place after they have completed their registration, hence the need to arrive on time. No one is permitted to use two mattresses or move his/her mattress to another room neither use up to two bed spaces. No one is also allowed to call in for room services because of the risks involved as regarding your valuables. Everywhere should be kept as clean as possible, the rooms and rest rooms (toilet).

Concerning Orientation Broadcasting Services (OBS)

This is a service that disseminates information throughout the camp. This enhances the quick and easy flow of information and this service is managed by the public relations committee. Corps members that possess the skill in or loves engineering and broadcasting are chosen to join the OBS committee.

 Concerning Religious Activities at Orientation Camps

Religious activities on camp are conducted according to the guidelines contained in the constitution. Therefore, based on that, the NYSC acknowledges Sundays for Christian worship and Fridays for the Muslims and nothing more. This makes it obvious that no other program is paramount in the  orientation camp than the camp activities.

Lectures/Language Studies

Lectures on camp are meant to equip corps members with the adequate knowledge needed for the mission ahead, hence, it is mandatory. Giving your time for the several lectures is never a waste of time as the lectures are always enriched with the necessary information you need.

In addition to the lectures, language studies are organized to equip corps members with the basics of the language of the host state to enhance their communication with the residents of the state after their orientation camp courses.

Concerning Discipline/Security

Priority is placed on discipline, hence the existence of the military on camp. Therefore, every corps member is to conduct his/herself in the best possible manner and by this, we mean stick to the rules. Any corps member who trespasses any rule and is caught will be disciplined as decided by the Orientation Camp Court. Nothing should be done without due permission from the appropriate authorities. Also, everyone is expected to be security conscious and report any doubtful act or movement to the police or any official on camp.

Most importantly, corps members should try as much as possible to be kitted accordingly, for examples, endeavour to the kitting for parade to parade, and that for other programme to such programme.

Concerning Medical Services

All medical cases are being handled by the camp clinic which runs for 24 hours during the orientation exercise and all treatment are administered for free. The clinic is managed by professional medical practitioners.

Accounts Department/Corps Allowances

The account department takes care of coppers allowances. Allowances given on camp include:

• Transport allowance (this is paid on arrival at the camp)
• Local transport also known as bicycle allowance
• Monthly allowance: this is the last allowance given to corps members at the end of their orientation course.

Corps members continue to receive monthly receive their monthly allowance after the orientation camp, but this is granted to them after they have been duly cleared by their employer at the end of every month and issued a clearance. Any corps member who is not cleared will have to forfeit his allowance for that month

Kitting/Mode of Dressing of the NYSC Orientation Camp

The public relations officer issues every corps members on completion of their registration at arrival at camp with the NYSC identity card. This card is legal and not transferable. The NYSC Store Officer also gives the NYSC kit items to corps members. The kit items are to be worn only by registered corps members and these items are:

• Plain vests
• 1 Youth Corps cap
• 1 Khaki shirt and a trouser
• 1 Youth Corps belt
• 1 pair of jungle boots
• 2 P.E. shorts
• 1 vest with NYSC emblem
• 1 pair of white canvas shoes
• 2 pairs of stockings

Once the kit is given, all mode of dressing should be done accordingly for easy identification of corps members and outsiders for security purpose.

Camp activities

Camp activities are carried out with discipline to time and rules and every corps member is expected to comply for a smooth and successful orientation camp experience. Some of the activities are:

• Military parade/drills
• Man O War activities
• Lectures
• Social activities
• Endurance trek

As earlier said, the orientation camp operates with a lot of rules of which some are:

• Cultism is a taboo on camp. It is highly prohibited
• Drug addiction has no place at the camp
• Stealing is an abomination on camp. Do not attempt it.
• Rioting/demonstration and the likes are not part of paramilitary
• Group meetings are not allowed on camp
• Rape is a serious crime against humanity
• Fighting on camp attracts severe penalty
• Taking double ration of food makes one liable for surcharge
• Flippancy and unguarded utterances attract severe punishment
• Ensure that you participate in all camp activities
• Avoid rumour mongering, always seek information at the appropriate quarters.
• Be prudent in spending. Remember you will settle down for your primary assignment.
• Smoking/chewing of gum are not allowed on parade
• Always observe the lights-out instruction
• Discipline is the watchword in NYSC

All activities on the camping program are designed for your own good; so comply.

NYSC ANTHEM                  
Youths obey the clarion call
Let us lift our nation high
Under the sun or in the rain
With dedication and selflessness
Nigeria is ours, Nigeria we serve

Member take the great salute
Put the nation first in all
With service and humanity
NYSC for the noble youth
Make Nigeria a great nation

Far and near we come to serve
And to build our fatherland
With oneness and loyalty
NYSC for unity
Hail Nigeria our great nation.