37. Jay Jacobs: Founder & CEO of the TLC Family of Camps and Chair of the NYS Democratic Committee

As the founder and CEO of the TLC Family of Camps and Inns, Jay Jacobs is the majority owner of 3 sleep-away camps, 3 day camps, a preschool and two country inns, one in the Catskill Mts and one in the Poconos. Jay's camps are some of the premier camps in the country. In 1991 Jay co-founded the non-profit SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education). SCOPE funds camp scholarships (camperships) to send kids to camp. From the SCOPE website, "Summer camp is an essential component of the year-round educational continuum and plays a critical role in helping children from underserved communities to thrive. The vast majority of children in low-income communities have little or no access to summer opportunities, resulting in an enormous achievement gap and summer learning loss. SCOPE bridges this gap by making summer camp accessible to as many deserving children as possible." To date SCOPE has sent over 25,000 kids to camps. Additionally 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. On this episode Bobby and Jay talk exclusively about Jay's success as a camp founder and operator, please know he gives as hard as he works. Outside of camp Jay is the Chair of the New York State Democratic Committee. We spend the last quarter of this episode asking Jay about how he balances his political duties with his business responsibilities. No matter what side of the aisle you are on, you will get a lot out of that part of the episode. Especially if public service is a calling for you while keeping your business or day job alive and thriving. To learn more about Jay's camps, inns and programs head on over to camptlc.com. For now, enjoy Bobby's cup of coffee with Jay Jacobs.