NYSC camp requirements and detailed guide

NYSC camp requirements and detailed guide is a compulsory read for all intending corp members and prospective corp members.

A complete guide with free Pdf checklist of all you need

The Nysc orientation camp is your first stop during your one-year National service. It is filled with plenty of fun and adventures. Nysc camp requirements and detailed guide will properly oriented you about Nysc, things expected of you, things you can gain, how to use the one year opportunity to develop yourself and where you’ll be empowered with a skill set. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet different people from different backgrounds with respect to culture and discipline. To get the most out of this orientation course you need to do the right things at the right time.

That is why we have made this complete guide which will help you in every facet of the orientation from registration through passing out on camp so you don’t want to miss any part of the guide. We won’t assume anything so we will discuss the nitty-gritty of the Nysc orientation camp.

Please note that there are some important documents & items required on camp and any excuse won’t be entertained for non-availability of these things so make sure you prepare adequately and get all documents ready beforehand. You can download our free checklist of all you need for NYSC orientation course in Pdf format below. It discusses in details Compulsory and Optional items & documents.

Nysc Orientation Camp Requirements

To make navigation of this guide easy for you we have made a table of content below so that you can easily scroll to each topic to be discussed on per need basis.

Table of Content

• Registration
• General registration
• Platoon level registration
• Dressing on camp
• Health and Security Safety measures on camp
• Fun and Sports Activities on Camp
• Brief SAED Guide
• Winning Attitudes on Camp

Ready? Let’s start 

Registration

Upon arrival in camp you’ll be asked to present the original copy of the following documents at the gate checkpoint:

• Call up Letter (Color printing)
• Duly Signed Green Card (Color printing)
• Statement of Result (Original)
• School ID card

After the items above have been verified you’ll be checked for potential danger by the security operatives of the camp and any potentially dangerous items such as forks, knives, any sharp objects, etc will be taken from you. Also, medications will be taken from you. Please cooperate with the security operatives as this is just a safety measure to make sure everyone is free from danger on camp.

After the security check, you’ll be welcomed into the camp, given your job list (might differ with camp) and directed to where you’ll do your general registration which is usually in the Camp’s Auditorium.

Note that until you’re fully done with basic registration on Camp you shouldn’t put on Full white as you’ll be regarded as a registered corp member by both Nysc officials and security operatives. This will impede your registration process and laden you with unnecessary burdens like going for parades when you’re supposed to be completing your Registration

General Registration

As required by the Nysc you need to be registered as a corp member that reported duly to their deployed state for the national service. For this, you need to present yourself at the venue of general registration on camp with the following documents:

• Your Statement of Result (SOR)
• School ID card
• Medical Fitness certificate
• Duly Signed Green card (Color printing)
• Call up Letter (Color printing)

After proper verification of the items above you’ll be directed to the ICT department for bio-metrics capturing and finalization of your general registration. If the bio-metrics capture is successful your registration will be completed and you’ll be given a Registration Slip. A good practice is to make at least 7 – 10 copies of this slip as it is one of the most important documents on camp. You’ll use it as your temporary ID and will retrieve some vital information such as your state code on it. Take note of your state code as you’ll need it for platoon level registration and other things. Check out the image below which is an example of the aforementioned registration slip and will show you where to locate your state code which is your identity code throughout your service year.

Just make at least 3 copies of every document you are to get on camp (if you can afford it).

After successful general registration, the next thing you should do is get allocated to a Hostel and get a mattress. You can easily locate the officials in charge of this by asking around (they usually stay close to OBS though). Ask them politely to register your accommodation allocation on your job list and sign duly. This is to avoid an unnecessary argument about your accommodation which usually results in you been moved to another hostel that might not be as good (just saying).

After securing accommodation in camp you need to register on Platoon level. To register you need to first know what platoon you belong to. For this, you just need to check the last digit number in your state code.

It ranges from 0 to 9. Number 0 is platoon 10, 1   is platoon 1, 2   is platoon 2, 3   is platoon 3, 4   is platoon 4, 5   is platoon 5, 6   is platoon 6, 7   is platoon 7, 8   is platoon 8 & 9   is platoon 9, there’s no platoon 10. For example, if your state code is OG/2019/1435 you are in platoon 5.

Then you need to locate the person in charge of your platoon members’ registration which is usually your assistant platoon inspector. Ask around for where platoon member registration is going on and look for your platoon’s stand. For someone in platoon 6, the platoon 6 stand will usually have a big Placard with the number 6. After locating the person in charge they will register you and give you the following:

• Nysc Kit
• 1 Crested Vest
• 1 Khaki Trouser
• 1 Cap and Jacket
• 2 white T-shirts
• 2 pairs of green-striped socks
• A pair of Orange Jungle Boots and White canvas
• A belt
• Meal Ticket
• Nysc Booklets (Orientation course schedule, Bye-Law, etc)

Make sure everything is complete before leaving the stand and they sign your job list then you can head back to your hostel for a well-deserved rest or Maami market for a hot meal.

That’s the basic registration you need to do on camp. Any other one such is opening of files, bank account, etc will be done on a platoon basis so make sure to always attend Parades and platoon meetings to stay informed about further registrations. Encourage your Platoon Leader to open a Whatsapp group for ease of disseminating information to platoon members.

Also, make sure to take good care of your documents such as Job list and Meal ticket. You’ll be given double transport allowance and your first monthly allowance cash on camp and what you’ll need to get your funds are your meal ticket, school ID card and sometimes Nysc registration slip.

Dressing on Camp

The only permissible dress code on Nysc orientations camps across the nation is full-on white; that is white shirts, shorts, socks, and shoes. You should always put on your Nysc cap too. You are only permitted to wear regular clothes for a few hours on Fridays and Sundays just for religious activities. Some camps won’t even allow this. Another exception is your NYSC uniform which will be permitted on special days like your Swear-in, Parade competition and Camp Pass out Parade day.

Note that this is just general guidelines as each camp has its own permissible dress code. For example, Plateau Camp will allow their corp members to put on a sweater of different colors beneath their white shirts simply because of the cold weather of the state. Some camps will allow shorts that extend beyond the knee and some won’t. Check out our Camp review Page to get camp specific dressing requirements.

It is very important to adhere to the dress code of your camp because failure to do so can lead to sanctions by the NYSC officials according to the NYSC bye-law.

Health and Security Safety Measures on Camp

Health Safety Measures

Maintaining good health should be the first thing on the priority list of anyone on and even out of Nysc camp because it is simply the prerequisite of any of human activity. And because we know health is wealth we have made this list of things you should do/don’t do to maintain good health standard on camp.

1. Do not self-medicate on camp: This has over time proven to be a very bad solution to any illness that you might have symptoms of. Use the camp clinic where they are professionals that will properly diagnose you and give you required treatment in safe dosage.
2. Report any symptom of illness to the officials in the camp clinic immediately you notice them: Don’t wait till it starts getting intense, if you feel even something as slight as neck pain, go to the camp clinic immediately, you’ll be attended to adequately.
3. Watch the food you eat and water you drink: This is a no brainer as many unhealthy food items are sold on camp and will definitely entice, you just have to be cautious about anything that goes into your stomach. Food items such as snacks and soft drinks should be reduced to the minimal to curb unnecessary health issues.
4. Don’t share toiletries and other personal items with anyone: This is also no rocket science. Make sure you take your own toiletries such as bathing sponge & soap, toothbrush and even nail cutter to camp and share it with absolutely nobody. This will help you stay off all sorts of contagious diseases and make sure you stay in top form with respect to health status.
5. Don’t engage in sexual acts of any kind with anybody: You probably even meeting these people for the first time and even if you’ve known them for a while I’m sure you don’t know their health record. Just stay off sexual act of any kind and you’ll be safe. It is even prohibited on camp and if you’re caught in the act you’ll probably be decamped immediately.
6. Don’t join the parade or any other group if you’re not strong enough: These groups train fervently on their activities and routine. Inquire about them and if your physical and mental strength can withstand these training and activities please don’t join.

Security safety measures

After making sure of sound health the next thing you to think about is the well being of you and your properties with respect to security. That is making sure you don’t get harmed and your properties don’t get missing. The following tips will help you with just that.

1. Don’t go to any hidden place with anyone: Different people go to orientation camp for different purposes so it is a good practice to stay off hidden places. Don’t go there with anyone and don’t go there yourself. Always stay in plain sight.
2. Always wear your Jungle Boots when going near the bush: There are loads of dangerous reptiles in the woods. Just stay off the bush if you can.
3. Don’t ever leave your important items unguarded in the hostel: After a little chit chat and giggle with your flatmates you might feel comfortable with leaving your items unguarded in the hostel. This is one big mistake you don’t want to make as those chats might only be a tactic for you to loosen up so your belongings can be carted away with. Always lock your items in your travel/school bag or your fancy pouch/waist bag.
4. Don’t fight with anyone: The last thing any corp member will want is a bloody nose and bruise all over capped with decamping, so you want to stay off any kind of fight with anybody.

Fun and Sporting Activities on Camp

NYSC camp requirements and detailed guide also entails the fun and sporting activities on camp. Nysc orientation camp is fun-packed. It starts right on the parade ground with drills from Man O War and Soldier instructors. They will be chants, games, singing and lots more trust me you don’t want to miss any of it. There are also inter platoon drill competitions where platoons will face off in different drill activities such as Tug of War, Rope Climbing and others. Just make sure you take your A-game to camp as there are loads of fun activities to be participated in.

For sports, the major ones available are Football (usually for guys), Volleyball (usually for ladies) and table tennis. You can play friendly matches but the main sporting events are those in the Inter Platoon Sports Competitions. Players partaking in these competitions will be adequately trained by skilled instructors and winners will be given beautiful trophies and prizes

Brief SAED Guide

Skills Acquisition & Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) is an empowerment program aimed at providing corp members with a skill set or honing their existing one. The SAED program usually starts in the second week of the orientation course and corp members will have the opportunity to choose from the over 15 skill sets made available to them. Some example of empowering skills you can choose from are: Photography & Cinematography, Bead Making, Leather works, Creative writing, 3D floors & Wallpaper making, Electrical works, Catering, Fashion designing, etc.

The program will help corp members add value to themselves by doing something that complements their discipline or just something to fetch them extra cash during their orientation course and beyond.

It should be noted however that the training is only sponsored by the government till you’re in camp in which after if you wish to continue with your training you’ll have to arrange with your SAED trainer and pay a small amount of money that has been subsidized by the Government.

Check out our full SAED guide for more in-depth details.

Winning Attitudes on Camp

Nysc orientation camp can be fun-filled, productive and intriguing but everything can go haywire very fast if you are not totally in control of situations. The following steps will help guide you towards the best attitudes to ensure you get the best out of the orientation course.

1. Be obedient, compliant and respectful: This can’t be overemphasized really. Most of the officials you meet on camp are still the ones you’ll deal with after camp. That man in the kitchen you want to rudely address might turn out to be your Local Government Inspector or CDS supervisor and these are the people you don’t want to have any problem with; they can make you regret the decision of registering for Nysc very fast. Another point is that discipline is taken very seriously in camp so any disobedience or rude behavior can get you decamped faster than you can blink your eyes. Just stay cool and respect anybody you meet.

Be obedient to the security operatives too. When a soldier says stop please do. Although they are not permitted to beat you they can sure punish you and you know what that means right? Yeah. Don’t try to be hot-headed with them. When they frown it is a good practice to smile, this trick usually works on them and they will just let you go no matter what you might have done. They’re very friendly

2. Increase your tolerance level: We all know that people can be annoying sometimes but at least while you’re on camp try to be more tolerant than usual. Don’t be the testy, angry type. You are in a different zone. Just stay cool and let nothing get you upset because trust me people will test your patience.
3. Be attentive: Many corp members start to have problems during and after the orientation course because they didn’t pay attention when they were given detailed instructions on what to do at what time. Lectures are designed for a specific purpose and that is to enlighten you about the things needed to be done at different times. Attend lectures and do that with a jotting note. Trust me you’d be glad you did because after the orientation camp nobody will give you any kind of instruction on what to do no more. You’ll just be on your own. Be attentive on the parade ground too and ask around for any information you think you might have missed. Just make sure you gain a substantial amount of knowledge from every lecture and every parade.
4. Be willing to share: This might be a little bit difficult especially for those that are on a budget but it has big advantages to it. The thing with orientation camp is that everybody is on Full white so you don’t know who is who. What you find out after three weeks is that many of these people that you met on camp are those who actually are influential and sometimes rich.

I was the sachet water supplier in my Hostel when we were on camp, you should see how fast my bag of water will disappear as soon as they were brought into the hostel. Unintentionally, what I made with that were invaluable friends that helped while even on camp and after camp. I can say I barely bought anything with my money. Some might even help you secure a very good PPA after camp and some will be expertise in your discipline that can help you hone your skills. Just be generous and willing to share.

5. Maintain Good Physical and Mental Health: Don’t laze up in camp. Go to the parade ground regularly and exercise adequately. This will help keep you in good physical shape and work towards good mental health; we all know that feeling good about one’s physical condition can increase one’s mental well being.

Also, think of positive things and be friends with positive people that’ll help you fight any issue that is troubling you and help you stay in great mental shape.

6. Save: This is a very important one. I must confess that there are lots of enticing things you’ll want to spend money on while in camp but you should try to minimize your spending a lot. You’ll need money for some other serious business after camp and might not get anybody to hand out cash to you. For those that traveled down to camp from far places, you’ll need to transport yourself back.

Even the documentation you need to do at the Local Government of your PPA will cost money. It is advisable you do it before traveling back home and you might need to stay in a Hotel while you do your documentation. A more economical thing to do though is to in Religion Groups’ Family Houses Such as NCCF and MCAN. Just save up. There’s more to NYSC beyond Camp

7. Be open-minded: The orientation camp is a cocktail of different groups of people with different perspectives. You should cultivate open-mindedness because a lot of ideas are presented and people are constantly having educative arguments, are testing each other’s theories. And over time what you discover is that you learn from each other, because you are getting out of a narrow point of view and having a broader perspective.
8. Discover yourself to the fullest: Nysc at large presents you the opportunity to discover and make full use of your potential which is limitless. The camp will provide opportunities to find out your individual sparks, including what makes us come alive. Things like SAED will bring you together will like minds and you can brainstorm together to come up with creative ideas that’ll serve all parties involved. You can also build professional relationships with people that are very versed in your field, learn from them and collaborate with them to make things happen.
9. Play: Just have fun. The 3 weeks you might dread while on camp will be over before you know it and whether you believe it or not you’ll miss it. Participate in games, cheer your team members on, participate in drills, competitions and every other fun activity on camp. Just make sure to be cautious.
10. Pray: I don’t know about you but I am a believer. If you are too and believe there’s a supreme being who can make things work better than your imagination pray to him to bless your endeavors and guide your every step. Pray that you find blessings and favor on and beyond camp. Pray for a peaceful and productive service year.

On the last day of your orientation course, you’ll be posted to an organization where you’ll do your primary assignment. Check out this our detailed step by step guide on Place of Primary Assignment (PPA). This will help you with things like all you should consider before accepting your Place of Primary Assignment (PPA), how to properly do documentation at the local government of your PPA, how to work in a company of your choice and the best PPA practices.

That is all we have for you on Nysc Camp and Orientation course. Leave your thoughts and suggestions in the comment box. And if there is anything we’ve left out or you want to inquire about drop a comment below, we reply faster than you can recite the Nysc anthem.

We hope the NYSC camp requirements and detailed guide helps provide the basic information all intending corpers needs. Good luck with your orientation course, God bless.