My sister had a lot of questions about the National Youth Service Corps three-weeks orientation camp for me since I am an older sibling and I have been through the NYSC grinder. This is a piece about some invaluable lessons I picked up from those neverending weeks in a place far from home. Reading this will be beneficial to anyone going to camp soon. I was clueless when I had to go and it would be a shame to let this cycle of confusion continue, especially not if I can help it.

The Registration Process

First things first, there's no time. You register, wait for your call-up number, letter, and in three or two days, you're expected to be in camp. The registration process is gruesome—loading, reloading, and starting afresh because you didn't fill in your details fast enough, or the website crashing because of the traffic which, quite frankly happens all the time. If you are able to register, congratulations. It is no small feat.

Call-Up and State Selection

When the call-up number is released, that's the time to start plug-hunting so you can work the state of your choice. Either that, or you leave it to fate. Who knows? She might be feeling generous. After state allocation, we go to camp.

Preparing for Camp

To survive the three weeks in camp, you have to go there with an open mind. "It's just three weeks, I'm sure I'm not going to die." Otherwise, you may want to leave the moment you touch ground. If you spent three or six years of your life slaving away in a boarding school, you're already at an advantage. Bonus points if it was a government-owned school. Be prepared to live in a stricter, regimented environment, don't worry the soldiers and camp officials will never fail to remind you.

Last-Minute Shopping and Essentials

If you're like me, you may be so uninterested that you end up having to do some last-minute shopping or maybe you don't know what to expect. I didn't bother with consuming camp GRWM content, I was already going to be spending my birthday in camp, so I wasn't gingered. Last-minute shopping or not, one thing you can be sure of is the amount of money you will spend. It is absurd. You will scream and haggle, people might even mistake you for a mad person, but you cannot avoid it. You will spend money.

Clothing and Provisions

Do well to get either white or black underwear, colored items—especially for women—is frowned upon. They are also against not wearing pants because, who are you trying to impress? You are not expected to wear your white-on-white uniform on the first day, that can wait until the swearing-in ceremony. I didn't bother taking any casual clothes, so I had to finish my registration quickly, especially since I wanted to join the Orientation Broadcasting Service (OBS). You should go with provisions, it won't do a lot because you will participate in physical activities that will try to unalive you, but better safe than sorry, yes?

Reporting to Camp

Your camp experience begins the day you report to camp. Something that contributed to some of my memorable experiences was traveling with other Prospective Corps Members (PCMs). I was lucky to experience it, I formed a bond with someone on the bus who became my roommate and is now my friend. Always keep your documents in your hand luggage or somewhere easily accessible, you'll need to show your call-up letter at the gate. Next is the rigorous search of your box. No laptops, forks, extensions, mirrors, glass-bottled perfumes, groundnuts, or any item that could pose harm are allowed on the campgrounds. I would have known this if I'd given into consuming camp content, but instead, I argued with my friends about stealing their perfume back.

Initial Registration at Camp

On your arrival at camp, you'll see corps members who reported earlier being trained by the soldiers. I arrived at 1 p.m. and it was more crowded than I had anticipated. During the medical vitals check, you'll realize how useless your course was if you weren't in the College of Medicine. My partner left me seething under the hot sun because she studied nursing. My colleagues had informed me that dislodged corps members (posted to another state due to lack of space) are not a priority, but I didn't understand the severity until I spent more than six hours in a hall waiting for a four-digit number that would be my state code and identity for the next eleven months. I wasn't able to finish all I needed to do until the next day.

Camp Kit and Essentials

I put too much faith in the provided kit and got only one white pair of shorts—that was my undoing, so don't do that. The white shorts didn't fit at all. I can not stress it enough, take your shopping seriously and do it early. Check your kit immediately after collecting and exchange anything unsuitable. For shoes, aim for two sizes above your regular size. Your white socks and rubber shoes are your most worn items in camp, so make sure they're comfortable. Getting khaki trousers and jackets that fit perfectly is near impossible. I had to amend mine at the Mami market; every camp has a mami market and they are known for being notoriously expensive. The Mami market offers a variety of food, snacks, and drinks, reflecting NYSC's pride in inclusion and diversity. I was constantly calculating my expenses and reminding myself that camp wasn't my real life.

Must-Have Items

Make sure to bring two of everything: power banks, phones, sunglasses, chargers. Sunglasses help during long lectures, while multiple chargers ensure you can power devices at Mami or the hall—or by begging a kindhearted corps member.

Final Thoughts

There is a certain over exaggeration that comes with people narrating the camp experience, but if you go with an open mind, who knows? You might even enjoy the experience. Mildly. My friends joke that I enjoyed the experience because Yoruba men were lying to me but isn't all that part of the experience? Think about it. In conclusion, if I missed anything, don't forget that experience is the best teacher.