Every prospective corps member receives countless recommendations on what to pack for NYSC camp. Friends, family members, and social media “experts” all have long lists of must-have items.
Unfortunately, nobody tells you that some of those items may end up being completely unnecessary. Looking back at my camp experience, there are a few things I wish I had left at home.
NYSC Camp Registration Checklist 2026
The first item on my regret list is a water bottle. I thought it was a smart idea at the time, but camp quickly proved me wrong. During parade, there is usually nowhere to keep personal belongings away from the sun.
By the time parade ends, your cold water has turned into something closer to hot tea. To make matters worse, chilled water is sold almost everywhere in camp.
Another item I didn’t really need was disposable pants. I followed the popular advice and bought several packs before heading to camp. In the end, I barely used them. I even sold one pack to my roommate and still returned home with extras. It was one of those purchases that sounded useful but wasn’t necessary for me.
7 Things I Regret Taking to NYSC Camp
I also carried wipes and a large amount of provisions. Surprisingly, my roommate used the wipes more than I did. As for the provisions, everyone warned me to buy plenty, but nobody mentioned how busy camp life could be. Between parade, lectures, drills, and social activities, I rarely had enough time to sit down and enjoy all the snacks I packed.
The biggest mistake, however, was bringing a large box. While it contained everything I needed, moving it around was stressful. From transportation to camp registration, carrying such a bulky load became a challenge. If I could go back, I would definitely choose a lighter and more convenient option.
Other items that turned out to be unnecessary were a mirror and several face care products. The mirror barely left my bag throughout camp, and the face care products came back home untouched.
After long hours of activities under the sun, looking flawless was the least of my concerns. NYSC camp has a funny way of humbling everyone. Looking back now, I can laugh about it all. What about you? What did you take to camp that you later realized you didn’t really need?
