It is an open secret that as a prospective corps member who is traveling to NYSC orientation camp you should go along with some pocket money.
How much money is enough for one to take to NYSC camp?. This is one of the most puzzling questions prospective corps members who are mobilised to attend orientation camps are faced with.
It is important to plan effectively for your NYSC camping especially with regards to your finances and adequate budget.
This is why it is important to work and plan your NYSC camp budget so as to have a very seamless and memorable NYSC camping experience.
To attend NYSC orientation camp, you don’t necessarily need lot of money, however it is important to have a good budget that would cater for unforeseen and miscellaneous expenses.
The orientation camp is a unique experience that offers a blend of adventure and friendship. It is one of the best and most memorable times as a graduate in Nigeria. Having a good budget makes it even more fun and exciting.
In this article, we will provide you with a template and guide of how to plan your NYSC camping budget and pocket money. This way, you can go to NYSC camp with confidence and peace of mind, focusing on making memories rather than worrying about money.
How Much is Enough To Bring to NYSC Camp?
It is important to note that this post is just about the amount of money you will need for your daily upkeep in NYSC camp.
It does not include money needed for the purchase of the essential items needed in camp, the cost of transportation to camp, shaping of khaki and other miscellaneous you might undertake before going into NYSC camp. I advise you budget for those separately.
There is not specific amount of money that can said to be enough or needed for NYSC camping. This is because spending habit differs among prospective corps members. However, some budget can be adjudged to be small as pocket money for NYSC camping.
Things Government Provides at NYSC Camp
There are certain things that government provides at the orientation camps and they includes but not limited to:
- Foods
- Accomodation
- Health care
- Uniforms
Below is breakdown of some of the events and how NYSC camping operates. This information would most definitely help you in preparing your NYSC camp budget.
- You are entitled to three meals daily from NYSC.
- You’ll receive a meal ticket in camp to access these meals.
- If you’re picky about food or prefer specific meals, you might not enjoy these foods.
On average, a plate of food at the camp’s market (maami) costs around 1,500 naira. This amount is factored into this budget calculations.
Above information is very helpful and provides information that can help one work ascertain the average amount one can bring to NYSC CAMP as pocket money.
NYSC Camp for Financially distressed Prospective Corps Members
This category category of corps members are those who are financially disadvantage and distressed. Those in this category should come to NYSC Camp with minimum of N30,000 – N40,000 as pocket money.
Spend 1500 naira per day which totals about 31,500 naira for the entire camp.
Eat three meals a day from the camp kitchen. No unnecessary forming or pretense.
You might not even spend all the money, which means you could save some and treat yourself to 5,000 naira suya on weekends along with a chilled bottle of Coke.
NYSC Camp Budget for “The Financial Average Guy”
This is the “not so rich, not so poor” category. With a budget of 50,000 – 80,000 naira to spend in camp, you’re set.
You can spend about 2,500 naira per day, which adds up to 50,000 for the entire camp during.
This will help you afford one decent meal a day at maami while relying on the camp kitchen for the other two meals.
There should still be some money left for snacks, soft drinks, beer, and other small extras.This way, you’ll be comfortable without overspending.
NYSC Camp Budget for Financially Advantaged and Boyant Corps Members
These are corps members that money isn’t really the problem but having all the comfort and good camping experience. As the name suggests, this category is for those with deep pockets who don’t need to check their wallets before spending.
It’s not for the faint-hearted. Corps members in this category should prepare a budget of between N150,000 – N 200,000 to have a luxury three (3)weeks NYSC camping experience. With this budget, you can have dry cleaners do your laundry, and even get people within the camp to do errands for you.
You’ll be spending around 8000 daily which totals around 168,000 naira during your stay in camp.
All your meals will be eaten at maami market with cold drinks to wash them down.
But that’s just the starting point. As a balling guy, you might need to double (or even triple) this NYSC camp budget if you:
- Plan on taking girls out to shawarma joints or restaurants.
- Want to treat your guys to chilled bottles every night.
- Remember, living large comes with a hefty price tag!
Best and Good Budget/Pocket Money for NYSC Camping
Here is our position on a good and enough pocket money for NYSC camping. While some people even come into NYSC camp with very little money, others come into the camp with lots of cash.
Well government has provided the basics so as to make sure that finances are not hiccups for corps members during camping. We are advising that prospective corps members going for camping should at minimum have a pocket money of about 50,000 naira, after covering transportation and other expenses.
This would provide one with a good financial security and backup during the camping. we consider the above stated amount as enough pocket money for NYSC camping.
Nevertheless, pocket below N50,000 for NYSC camping can still be Okay for those who are very good managers and knows how to work with tight budgets. It is important to note that life in camp is easier for females compared to males.
Males corps members should work very well on their budget for NYSC camp. Females at camp always enjoy freebies and can have a guy shoulder her entire camping expenses. Be smart, be contented and be focused.