Yagilu Roll Call, Starting With!

One of the first things on the agenda every session in Yagilu is to set up a roll call. Each camper gets a number that will be theirs for the rest of the summer. To make sure everyone is with us before starting an activity or discussion, the head counselor announces: “Yagilu Roll Call, starting with!”, and we go through the full count.

If a number isn’t said, we know that that person must not be with us. On our hikes and out-of-camp trips (white-water rafting, rock climbing, livestock auctions…), roll calls are crucial to making sure everyone is together and safe.

Think about what we’re doing in a roll call. We’re making a value statement: each person in our group matters. Each member adds something to our community. Without them, we’re missing a part of ourselves. We count things that are important.

We recently started Sefiras HaOmer. We’re counting from Pesach to Shavuos, reliving a 50-day journey from the bottom of the human food chain to the top. Personal growth is not easy. Personal growth takes time-and we’re not talking about just a couple of hours or days.

How did the Jews manage such a major transformation in just a few weeks? Sefira tells us the answer: by counting every day, they showed themselves: Every Day Counts. Just like in our roll call, by highlighting every individual day, we call attention to it and get inspired to use it to its fullest potential. This is how the Jews were able to develop so much in such little time.

Imagine getting to Shavuos and being able to call, “Sefiras HaOmer Roll Call, starting with!” and each day presenting itself with something you worked on, learned, or did special for that day. That would be an incredible way to prepare for Shavuos.

Camp’s coming up in a 2 months. If you haven’t registered yet, what are you waiting for?! Sign up and get ready to receive your roll call number!