Life in the orientation camp of National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) is always a very regimented one.
There is time for everything, right from when you wake, schedule for all daily programs, time for eating, time for relaxing, and time to sleep also.
The first day is usually the most hectic: as you approach the camp gate, some soldiers will ask for your call-up letter—make sure it is nearby.
When you arrive at the main gate, you will see some NYSC officials who will search your bags. Make sure you do not bring any of the prohibited items.
As soon as you enter the gate, you will be asked to write your name and then assigned a number. The number is simply a serial number, which is rarely important.
They will give you some snacks after you have written your name because they know you have been on a long trip. We are not sure if it is common in all camps.
From there, you go straight to the hostel for hostel documentation to secure a bedspace and store your luggage before heading to the auditorium for proper Camp documentation.
While some camps let you pick your own bed and room, others will force you to stay where they choose because that is how they operate. While some does it serially.
The advantage is that you can stay with your friends or those you traveled with if you go for hostel documentation together.
When you begin the camp documentation process, you will have to wait in a long line. It depends on your camp and the day you arrive. This is why it is recommended that you travel early.
The most stressful aspect of the documentation is getting your name written into a book known as “the book of life:” everyone has to write their names in it.
You may wait in that queue for over four hours because anyone could join it from any angle— It is usually annoying.
Once you have completed the documentation, you will know which platoon you belong to. You do not choose your platoon; instead, you are assigned one based on the numbering.
Then you go to your platoon officer and get your NYSC kits, which are usually oversized. Forget about the sizes you selected while registering for NYSC, they do not use it.
You may be fortunate enough to find someone to exchange with; if not, you accept your fate.
To be honest, life in the NYSC camp is extremely demanding. You just need to be mentally, physically, and spiritually ready.
If you are not mentally stable and are still dealing with depression, we would advise you not to go to the camp yet; instead, please wait for the next batch so you can heal.
If you are sick, you must either report and request a letter of exit or simply do not go and wait for the next batch if you want to have the camp experience.
If you do not develop strategic measures to maintain your spirituality, you will become cold and unable to imagine the activities you would be involved in at camp.
For Christians, it may be necessary to join the NCCF in camp. It is the only officially recognized Christian body in camp, and it usually holds fellowship every evening.
Life in camp is extremely regimented. You will have to live based on rules and regulations for the 21 days.
You would be instructed on what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. You do not have personal time.
The first bugle sounds at 4:30 am for meditation, Man O’ war drills and parade.
The second bugle sounds at 7:30 am for an hour-long breakfast.
You rush to the kitchen for breakfast in a long line or to Mammy Market, which is usually far away.
During this time, you also need to fetch water from a very long line, wash your clothes, and clean your shoes because the drilling activities would have stained them.
We know you are thinking there is no way all of these could be finished in an hour, but you would know when you get to camp. That some could meet up with all of these in less than an hour surprising as well.
The next bugle sounds at 8:30 a.m., directing you to the auditorium for SAED classes that last five hours at a time.
This is the nightmare of every Corps member. That is where the images of Corp members dozing off that appear on the internet come from.
By 2:00 pm, the next Bugle is blown for lunch. You also repeat most of the process you did earlier:
Wash your morning plate, fetch water, buy food, or get something from the kitchen, and before you can relax for 5 minutes, the next Bugle blows for the next activity at 3:30 p.m.
It is usually for a parade, which most Corps members try to avoid but can not unless they join competitive groups like OBS and Red Cross.
The Red Cross is saving grace to some; we are not sure how some would have survived the 21 days.
By 6:00 p.m., the next bugle is blown, signaling the end of the parade and departure for dinner.
Some skipped dinner to attend the NCCF fellowship, which began around 6:30 p.m. It was a necessary sacrifice to them.
The next bugle is blown at 7:30 p.m. for social events. Which is also mandatory for everyone.
Since the activities were typically not edifying, sincere believers always murmured.
You can participate in sports, debates, represent your platoon in morning devotion, and join lecture committees.
The social activities end a few minutes before 10:00 p.m., and light out usually occurs at 10:00 p.m., indicating the end of the day.
Most of the time, this occurs while you are still bathing in the bathroom. Always carry your torchlight.
You only get a total of four hours of break, which is usually insufficient as it is not even meant for leisure.
There will be drills, different inter-platoon competitions, and times when your platoon will have to handle kitchen or sanitation duties.
For twenty-one days, this is how your day goes.
Camp is extremely draining! However, one advantage is that you will meet new people and form a network of friends.
