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 camp 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 is the founder of SCOPE – Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education, 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 Camp 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 a camper and then a staff member at Timber Lake. She 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 that 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 sleep-a-way 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 the former 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 discovered her love for overnight camp in Northern Michigan at just seven years old, a passion that kept her coming back for ten unforgettable summers. She spent two more summers as a counselor at a camp in West Virginia where, at 19, she met her best friend and life partner, Andy.

Wendy is in the heart of Tyler Hill each summer, serving as a warm and “just like home” camp mom. She has a natural way of making every camper feel safe and cared for, while also building genuine connections with parents. Whether she’s taking care of the little details, like trimming campers’ fingernails, or playing guitar around a campfire, Wendy infuses everything she does with warmth and love.

Her love for Tyler Hill shines through from the very first moment you meet her. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Social Work, Wendy brings both professional expertise and a deeply personal touch to every interaction, giving her all to every camper and counselor.

For families considering Tyler Hill, Wendy is often the first friendly voice and welcoming face you’ll encounter. She’ll guide you through your questions, help plan your visit, and be there to greet you as you pull through the front gates. Counting down to Opening Day each year, the seven weeks of camp are her favorite of the year.

At home, Wendy and Andy are proud parents of three college graduate daughters who share their love for Tyler Hill, making camp the true centerpiece of the Siegel family.

JUSTIN MAYER 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 adds a sense of fun to everything he does at camp and is committed to providing West campers with the best possible summer experience. He spends his days and nights at camp working with campers and their families, guaranteeing that their needs and expectations are being met.

Justin serves as the recent Past-President and Board Member of SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education), an organization that funds “camperships” for children from low-income families attend not-for-profit sleep-away camps in the Northeast, thus providing the benefits of a safe, well-supervised and enriching summer camp experience. Justin is also an active volunteer of the American Camp Association

CASSIE MAYER grew up at Timber Lake West, where she was a camper, junior counselor, general counselor, group leader and a division leader. Cassie works with prospective and current families, as well as West’s “camp mom,” a role that allows her to take care of our campers while also maintaining close ties with their parents. She does everything from clip campers’ fingernails to tuck campers in at night and her passion for West is evident from the minute that you meet her. Her Master’s Degree in School Psychology provides her the base to give her all to each and every one of our campers.

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 27 years, she has acquired many skills to help children develop their own sense of self as well as learning to be successful in a social setting.

Prior to taking on the role of Director, Joni worked extensively with our 1st & 2nd grade girls creating a program that ensured new friendships and experiences for each camper. She brings a strong sense of humor to everything she does and believes that laughter is the best medicine.

Joni understands the value of the camp experience for children through her own experience as a camp parent. Watching her own child grow and develop through her camp years has helped Joni understand what is needed to create a special experience for each camper. Joni’s own child ultimately joined the North Shore Day Camp staff, carrying on the teaching of our STARFISH values.

JASON MERCADO has been part of the TLC Family of Camps since 2008 and serves as the full-time Director of North Shore Day Camp. He previously led Hampton Sports and Arts in East Hampton, NY and began his camp career as an Assistant Director at Timber Lake Camp.

A former varsity athlete at Brown University, Jason has seen firsthand how sports and diverse experiences help children grow in confidence and character. That passion led him to co-found FAST, a youth athletic development company focused on age-appropriate multi-sport training and performance coaching.

Jason brings energy and fun to every aspect of camp life and is excited to create an unforgettable summer for NSDC campers. Jason and his wife, Amber, have three boys — Cooper, Chase, and Cole — who will be campers at NSDC this summer!

DAVE SKOLNIK has been a part of the TLC Family of Camps for more than 30 years, starting his “camp career” as a camper at Timber Lake in the early 1990s.  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 experience.

Dave also serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the TLC Family of Camps, of which Hampton Country is a proud partner.  Additionally, Dave is the founder of a popular youth athletic development program called FAST (Fitness & Athletic Skills Training)which provides age-specific programs for multi-sport skill instruction, motor skill development and performance training…HCDC campers love participating in FAST at camp too!

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) and Morry’s Camp which raise money to provide underserved communities with resident summer camp experiences and year-round youth development programs. In addition, he is also an active member in the American Camp Association, having served on the ACA-NY/NJ Executive Board and is currently on the Board of the New York Camp Directors Association.

Dave’s daughters, Madison and Peyton, both can’t wait to head off to sleepaway (Timber Lake Camp) after so many amazing seasons at HCDC!

DORIS ROSEN who holds a Master’s degree in Education and has extensive experience working with young children, adolescents and college students, has been a part of the TLC Family of Camps since 1998 when she began her camp career at North Shore Day Camp where she specialized in overseeing the care and supervision of the Stepping Stones Program.

Doris prides herself on developing close relationships with both campers and their parents. She has been instrumental in implementing our camp mission of teaching children the skills of making and keeping friends while building their self esteem, self confidence and resilience. She still maintains relationships with her former campers, some of which go back over 15 years.

Doris works closely with the parents of her campers and potential campers throughout the year. She becomes intimately involved in addressing the concerns of parents whether they be making the decision to send their children to camp or regarding concerns that arise during the summer.

Doris is passionate about hiring, training and supporting the well -being of HCDC summer staff. She does all that she can to help ensure that they, especially our international staff, feel happy and secure both in deciding to travel abroad and during the summer season. Doris believes that Happy Staff results in Happy Campers!

Doris is the mother of three children who have attended Timber Lake Camps since they were toddlers and continue to work for the TLC Family of Camps as adults. This helped both Doris and her family to understand and embrace the value of the camp experience. This experience has resulted in each of Doris’ children having met their spouses at HCDC and its sister Southampton Camp and Club. Most important in Doris’ set of values has always been helping her own children to develop the standards to navigate the challenges of life. She is proud that she has been able to accomplish and extend that goal to the children at HCDC as well.

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.