Our Directors

JAY JACOBS arrived at Timber Lake in 1967 as a camper, and worked his way up from counselor to head counselor before becoming owner/director in 1980. Highly regarded in the camping industry for his innovative ideas, he was appointed by the Governor to serve on the NY State Camp Health and Safety Council. Jay has served as President of the NY Section of the American Camp Association, Past President of NY State Camp Directors’ Association, and Chairman of Summer Camp Opportunities Provide an Edge, a program which provides camping experiences for inner city kids at a host of not-for-profit camps. In 2001, Jay founded and currently serves as chair of Heal the Children, a program of the American Camping Association that provides free camperships to the children of victims of the 9/11 tragedy. His first love, however, is the time he spends every summer with his campers.

MINDY JACOBS was also a camper and then a staff member at Timber Lake, and became director of our Girls’ Campus in 1982. She is the person who gets to hear problems both big and small and help solve them. Her top priority is to help all girls feel comfortable at Timber Lake and to make sure parents know their children are safe and secure in every way at camp. During the off-season, Mindy works with new families to ensure that the transition to sleepaway camp is a smooth one.

ANDY SIEGEL arrived at Tyler Hill Camp as a counselor in 1993. He worked his way up from Group Leader, to Head Counselor, to Assistant Director, before becoming Owner/Director in 1999. Growing up in Baltimore and spending his summers at camp in West Virginia helped shape Andy into the person he is today. From an early age he understood the benefits of summer camp, the value of camp friendships, and the importance of spirit and fun. Running a camp is all Andy ever wished for and he’s proud to call Tyler Hill Camp his home. Andy is currently the President of the Wayne County Camp Alliance, has served on the board of the NY/NJ Section of the American Camp Association and is the past President of the SCOPE Program (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education) which provides summer camp experiences for children in need. Andy brings a large capacity to have fun to Tyler Hill. He ensures that each camper and staff member understands their important role in our community. Andy, along with his wife Wendy (whom he met at camp), are truly living their dream – each and every summer.

WENDY SIEGEL, in love with overnight camp in Northern Michigan at age 7, and subsequently spent 10 summers as a full-season camper. As a counselor, she spent two additional summers at a camp in West Virginia and at 19, she met her BFF and life partner – Andy! Living their dream… Wendy spends her summers as THC’s “camp mom,” a role that allows her to take care of our campers while also maintaining close ties with their parents. She adds warmth and fun to everything she does in camp. Wendy can be found doing everything from clipping campers’ fingernails to leading campfires. Her passion for Tyler Hill is evident from the minute you meet her. Wendy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Master’s Degree in Social Work which provide her the base to give her all, to each and every one of our campers.

If you are a parent considering Tyler Hill for your family, Wendy is the one who will answer all of your questions, coordinate your visit to camp and she’ll be the first one you meet as you drive through Tyler Hill’s front gates. She counts the days down until camp each summer – it’s her favorite 51 days of the year. Wendy and Andy are the parents to three teenage daughters who live for Tyler Hill Camp!

JUSTIN MAYER, owner and director, has been a part of the Timber Lake Family of Camps since he was eight years old. Justin grew up at Timber Lake Camp, and ultimately became TLC’s Assistant Program Director. Upon graduating from Indiana University, Justin worked as an accountant for three years before realizing his true passion was camp. In 2003, he joined our sister camp, Tyler Hill, as the full-time Associate Director. Justin brings with him a tremendous background in summer camp program planning, staff development and dealing with campers. He adds a sense of fun to everything he does at camp and is committed to providing West campers with the best possible summer experience.

Justin serves as a Board Member and Treasurer of SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Provide an Edge Program), and is also an active committee member of the American Camp Association’s E.P.I.C. (Emerging Professionals in Camping) program and the Morry Stein Fall Camp Management Conference.

CASSIE MAYER has grown up Timber Lake West, where she has been a camper, junior counselor, general counselor, group leader and a division leader. During the winter months, Cassie is a school psychologist in Rockland County, NY. She spends her camp days working with prospective and current families, as well as with campers. Cassie will ensure that both campers’ and parents’ needs and expectations are being met from start to finish. Additionally, Cassie will continue to develop creative and unique activities that our campers will enjoy throughout the entire summer!

JONI IACONO joined the North Shore team in 2002 bringing with her many years of teaching and working with children both in a classroom and recreational setting. Before coming to North Shore, in addition to teaching, she was the director of an after school program at an elementary school in Queens for 15 years. Joni holds a Master’s degree in Education and considers herself a lifelong learner in all aspects of life. Her philosophy in working with children is one that encourages them to feel confident in their developing abilities. As an educator for over 25 years, she has acquired many skills to help children develop their own sense of self as well as learn to be successful in a social setting.

Prior to taking on the role of Director, Joni worked extensively with our younger students and campers creating programs that ensured new learning, friendships and experiences. She brings a strong sense of humor to everything she does and believes that laughter is the best medicine.

JASON MERCADO has been a part of The TLC Family of Camps since 2008 when he realized his lifelong passion to work with and enhance the lives of young people. Most recently he spent the past 2 summers as the Director of Hampton Sports and Arts, a program for 11-15 years olds located in East Hampton, NY. Jason began his camping career working as an Assistant Director at Timber Lake Camp, where he was responsible for overseeing the care and supervision of the boys’ campus. During his time in the TLC organization, Jason has gained extensive knowledge working on capital projects, program planning, staff development and operations.

A varsity college athlete while at Brown University, Jason brings with him an understanding of the value that both sports and a well-rounded background play in a camper’s development. Jason always adds a sense of fun to everything he does, and he’s looking forward to providing NSDC campers with the best possible summer experience.

Jason is an advocate for the non-profit organization S.C.O.P.E (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education) and has enjoyed being a teen mentor for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America.

DAVE SKOLNIK has been a part of the TLC Family of Camps since he was nine years old when he started as a camper at Timber Lake. Having grown up through the ranks at TLC, Dave adds the valuable perspective of having been a camper, counselor, Group Leader, and Associate Director before becoming a Director in 2010. A Cornell University graduate, Dave has an extensive background in camp management, program planning, staff development and communicating with parents and campers on a regular basis. Bringing a contagious sense of excitement and spirit to camp, Dave is committed to providing HCDC campers and families with the best possible summer experience!

As a strong advocate for the camp experience for all children, Dave is very involved in the nonprofit organizations SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Provide an Edge Program) and Morry’s Camp which raise money to provide underprivileged, inner-city children with resident summer camp experiences and year-round youth development programs. In addition, he is also an active member in the American Camp Association, serving on the EPIC (Emerging Professions in Camping) and Public Relations committees.

Doris Rosen has been a part of the TLC Family of Camps since 1998 when she began working at North Shore Day Camp. Prior to becoming a Director in 2010, Doris specialized in overseeing the care and supervision of North Shore’s Stepping Stones program. She holds a Masters degree in Education and has extensive experience working with young children, adolescents and college students.

Doris is the mother of three children who have been attending Timber Lake Camps since they were toddlers. All three of her children continue to work as counselors for Hampton Country Day Camp.

Doris prides herself on developing close relationships with both campers and their parents. She has been instrumental in implementing our mission to teach children the skills of making and keeping friends while building their self-esteem, self-confidence and resilience.

A native of England, Tom Coffey has been part of The TLC Family of Camps since 2006 when he was the Soccer Director at Timber Lake West. Tom adds the valuable perspective of having been an Athletic Director, Division Leader, Head Counselor and Associate Director before becoming a Director.

With both a Bachelors and Masters in Exercise Physiology, Tom has a strong foundation of knowledge and experience working in youth development. In addition, Tom worked for an international camp staffing agency for 7 years in the UK, providing him with an extensive background in camp management, program planning, staff recruitment & training, as well as communicating with parents.

Tom brings a tremendous passion, determination and desire to SCC and is committed to providing the best summer experience possible for campers and their families, year after year.