Hillary Clinton to headline event with Nassau's Jay Jacobs

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will join Nassau Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs as part of a question-and-answer session on youth development issues before some 3,000 camp operators in Atlantic City on Thursday.

Clinton, the expected Democratic presidential contender, will address the American Camp Association of New York and New Jersey’s Tri-State CAMP Conference in Atlantic City from noon to 2 p.m., according to a schedule posted on the group’s website.

Jacobs, the owner and operator of several upstate camps, and longtime Clinton fundraiser who backed her senatorial and presidential campaigns, said he reached out to the former first lady’s office last year to invite her to speak at the event.

“I’ll be asking her questions related to the camp profession and youth development issues,” said Jacobs, who also serves on the Democratic National Committee. “There will be questions just of interest to the camp community in the audience ... I’m not focusing on foreign policy.”

Clinton is being paid for the appearance, though the event’s organizers have not  disclosed the amount.

In a statement, Andy Pritikin, president of the American Camp Association of New York and New Jersey, said the group invited Clinton because she “is a strong advocate for early childhood education and youth development for all children, just as camp professionals are.”