Everything You Must Know Before Day 1

Congratulations, PCM! You've done the registration, printed your call-up letter, and camp is just a few days away.

The three weeks of camp are busy. There's morning drills, 4:30 AM wake-up, lectures, SAED and plenty of fun. But if you pack the wrong things, or pack badly, camp can quickly become stressful.

That's why we put this list together. For each item, we tell you The Essentials (the minimum you need) and The Comfort Upgrade (for when you have extra space and money). We also tell you what to look out for when buying.

Quick tip before we start: Put everything into ONE medium or large box or suitcase. Dragging three bags around on Day 1 while soldiers are shouting at you is not something you want.

1. Camp Wardrobe

After registration, NYSC will give you your kit: khaki, white shirts, white shorts, socks, jungle boots, canvas and a face cap. The problem is that the sizes are often wrong, and two sets won't last 21 days of sweating. So bring your own extras.

White Round-Neck Shirts & Shorts

  • The Essentials: 3 sets

  • The Comfort Upgrade: 5 to 6 sets

  • What to look for: 100% cotton, so air can pass through. They must be plain white round-necks with no logo, no pocket and no coloured lines. For shorts, go for light cotton with deep, zipped pockets so your things don't fall out during drills.

White Socks & Canvas

  • The Essentials: 3 pairs of socks, 1 pair of white canvas

  • The Comfort Upgrade: 6 to 7 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of canvas

  • What to look for: Socks that are not too thick but still soft, so the jungle boots don't cut your heels. For canvas, don't buy expensive fashion sneakers. Simple white rubber or canvas shoes are better. They can enter mud, wash easily and dry overnight.

Underwear & Tights

  • The Essentials: 5 to 6 boxers for guys. 6 to 10 pants and at least 2 tights for ladies.

  • Ladies, get white or nude biker tights to wear under your white shorts. You'll feel more covered and more comfortable during drills.

Sweaters & Casual Wear

  • Sweaters: Bring 1 or 2 plain white sweaters. Morning parade can be very cold, and soldiers will make you remove coloured sweaters. If you can't get one, your khaki jacket will do.

  • Casual wear: 2 sets of decent clothes (native or English wear) for church on Sunday, Jumat on Friday, or just relaxing in the evening.

  • Slippers: 1 strong pair for bathroom runs and walking around the hostel at night. Crocs are a good choice.

2. Toiletries & Personal Care

You'll be sharing a hostel with hundreds of people, so good hygiene is very important.

Sunscreen (Very Important)
Get SPF 50 or higher. You'll stand in the hot sun for hours during parades and outdoor lectures. Cover your face and arms so your skin doesn't burn.

Smelling Nice

  • The Essentials: 1 strong roll-on or antiperspirant and 1 body spray

  • The Comfort Upgrade: Add a perfume that lasts long. Camp is a sweaty place, so please don't be the one smelling like old onions during march past.

  • Also bring good toothpaste and a new medium toothbrush.

Body & Hair Care

  • The Essentials: Body cream, hair cream, comb, bathing soap with a soap case, and a good sponge.

  • Ladies: Keep your hair simple. Braids or an easy wig will save you stress. Bring enough sanitary pads from home, plus baby wipes and light make-up.

Laundry Kit

  • The Essentials: Tissue (bring plenty!), face towel, bath towel, bar soap or detergent, and pegs.

  • Why pegs? If you spread your white shirts on the line without pegs, wind will blow them into the mud, or they'll fall and people will step on them.

Bucket & Bowl
Bring a small bowl from home, but buy your bucket inside camp. There's no need to carry a big bucket through the motor park when Mami Market sells it at almost the same price.

3. Documents, Gadgets & Small Items

These small things will make your time in camp much easier.

Waist Bag
Choose one with strong zips that won't let water in. This is your "portable safe". Your phone, money, keys and meal ticket will stay inside, and you'll wear it on your waist or across your chest all day. Never leave it on your bed.

ID Card Holder & Lanyard
Get a strong, clear card holder with a strong rope. You're expected to wear your state code ID around your neck at all times.

File & Stationery

  • Get a strong, waterproof clear file for your original certificates, call-up letter and NERD slip.

  • Bring 1 permanent marker to write your state code on your clothes and bucket, so nobody "mistakenly" carries them. Also bring gum for sticking passport photos on your camp forms.

Power Bank
Get at least 20,000mAh. Sockets are hard to find in the hostel, and charging at Mami Market costs money.

Sunglasses & Torchlight
Sunglasses help with the sun and dust. A small torchlight (or a charged phone) will help you at 4:30 AM, when the generator is usually off.

4. Food & Kitchen Items

Camp food is free, three times a day. But the portions can be small, and the food may not always be to your taste.

Garri & Groundnut

This combo will rescue you on nights when you're too tired to go to the kitchen or Mami Market.

Drinks & Cereals

  • The Essentials: Milk, Milo, sugar or honey, and some biscuits.

  • The Comfort Upgrade: Add cornflakes, Golden Morn, butter or mayonnaise, and packaged drinks. Bring whatever keeps you happy and strong.

Food Flask & Spoons
Bring 1 medium food flask and 2 spoons. You'll use them to collect food from the kitchen or buy takeaway from Mami Market.

5. Extra Tips

  • Water bottle: Bring a big one so you're not buying sachet water all day.

  • Nail cutter: Dust gets under your nails quickly in camp.

  • Money: Don't keep all your cash in one place. Split it up.

  • Chewing gum or mints: You'll talk to a lot of people every day.

  • Wet wipes: For quick cleaning after drills.

  • Vaseline or anti-chafing cream: Plenty of people get thigh rash from all the marching.

  • Beard oil or pomade: Bring a small one. The dust and sun will dry your hair and beard fast.

  • Extra charger cable: Don't depend on only one.

  • Deodorant, not only perfume: Perfume on top of sweat is not a nice smell.

Final Word

Pack well, don't carry too much, and go in with an open mind. Camp only happens once, so enjoy it. Once you've ticked everything on this list, you can spend less time worrying about what you forgot and more time making friends and having fun.

Safe journey, and see you in camp!

Questions people ask

How many sets of white shirts and shorts do I need?

You should pack a minimum of 3 sets as the essential requirement, though 5 to 6 sets are recommended for a comfort upgrade. Ensure they are 100% cotton and plain white, with no logos, colored lines, or pockets.

What type of shoes are best for NYSC camp?

Bring simple white rubber or canvas shoes that can easily be washed, dry overnight, and handle mud. Avoid bringing expensive fashion sneakers.

What kind of sweater is allowed during morning parades?

You should bring plain white sweaters. Colored sweaters are not allowed and soldiers will make you remove them. If you don't have a white sweater, your NYSC khaki jacket will work.

Do I need to carry a bucket from home?

No, it is recommended to buy your bucket inside the camp at the Mami Market. It costs almost the same price, and it saves you the stress of carrying a bulky item while traveling.

Why is a waist bag necessary?

A waist bag with strong, waterproof zips acts as a "portable safe" for your valuables like your phone, money, keys, and meal ticket. You should wear it at all times and never leave it on your bed.

How should I store my certificates and documents?

Keep your original certificates, call-up letter, and NERD slip in a strong, waterproof clear file to protect them from damage.

Do I need to bring my own food?

While the camp provides free food three times a day, the portions can be small and might not suit your taste. It's recommended to pack backup provisions like garri, groundnut, milk, Milo, biscuits, and cereals.

Is sunscreen really necessary?

Yes, it is very important. You will spend hours standing in the hot sun during outdoor lectures and parades. Bring SPF 50 or higher to protect your face and arms from burning.

Why do I need to pack clothes pegs?

Pegs are essential for your laundry kit. Without them, the wind can blow your white clothes off the line into the mud, or they could fall and get stepped on by others.

What capacity power bank should I bring?

You should bring a power bank with at least 20,000mAh capacity. Wall sockets are scarce in the hostels, and paying to charge your phone at the Mami Market can quickly add up.