Our Mission

To empower individuals through personal and character growth in an inclusive and unique wilderness setting, fostering a deep connection with nature, community, and self. 

Our Vision

Build a future where every individual experiences personal growth and develops a lifelong connection with their community and the natural world. We aim to be a leader in youth development, nurturing leaders who are environmentally conscious, socially responsible, and equipped to face life's challenges with resilience and a sense of adventure.

Our Core Values

1. Inclusion: Access, Acceptance, Support & Opportunities for Diverse Individuals

2. Honesty: Integrity, Transparency, Morality, Trustworthy

3. Responsibility: Account, Reliable, Committed to Safety, Service, and the Community, Follow-through, Leadership, Fiscal Responsibility

4. Caring: Compassion, Empathy, Kindness, Philanthropy, Giving

5. Respect: For other people, differences, community, nature, self

6. Leadership: Cultivating future leaders through mentorship, challenge, and the development of leadership skills.

What We Do

The Jack and Buena Foundation manages operations at the Camp Jack Hazard in the high Sierras and is committed to providing scholarships for under-served youth so that camping experiences will be accessible to all members of the community. The Jack and Buena Foundation is also committed to building a community of Camp Jack Hazard alumni and foster connections with the local communities served by Camp Jack Hazard.

We have been steadily growing the impact of our scholarships and the overall camp enrollment since taking over operations for Camp Jack Hazard in 2011.

Meet Our Board Members

Ty Vernon
Board President

Dr. Ty Vernon is an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology in the Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology. His primary research interests lie in novel methods for measuring, understanding, and altering the social developmental trajectories of individuals with autism. Ty serves as the Director of the Koegel Autism Center Assessment Clinic, which serves as a clinical and research hub for the detection and measurement of autism-related symptomatically in toddlers, children, adolescents, and adults. Ty has a long affiliation with Camp Jack Hazard, having attended as a camper and worked in a variety of staff position. He is currently working on populating the entire camp with his own off-spring.

Tatiana Altman
Vice- President ​- Attorney

Tatiana lives in Modesto and works locally as a municipal attorney. Tatiana attended Camp Jack Hazard as a camper, and later went on to hold several different positions on staff. Going to CJH inspired a lifelong love of nature and backpacking in Tatiana, for which she is eternally grateful. As a board member for the JBF, Tatiana hopes to contribute her legal and nonprofit work experience and passion for camp.

Marshall Ogier
Treasurer ​- Educator

Marshall is one of our newest Board Members and is still working on a bio! - check back soon!

Joel Buettner
Board Member - Non Profit Administrator

Joel is a long time friend of the JBF and newly re-enlisted board member. His bio is on its way.

Marty Bicek
Board Member ​- EMS/ Photographer

Marty is one of our newest Board Members and is still working on his bio! - check back soon!

Ian Johnson
Board Member ​- Alumni

Ian is one of our newest Board Members and is still working on his bio! - check back soon!

Elizabeth Baker
Board Member ​- Alumni

Elizabeth is one of our newest Board Members and is still working on her bio! - check back soon!

Amanda Hoyopatubbi
Board Member ​- Camp Registrar

Amanda is one of our newest Board Members and is still working on his bio! - check back soon!

Jason L. Poisson
Co-Founder and Executive Director

Jason Poisson first came to Camp Jack Hazard in 1992 and his heart never left. He worked from 1992 to 2003. After his tenure at CJH, Jason took all the skills he learned working with teens and became a teacher in Modesto, California. Jason taught High School English and Anthropology for 9 years at Valley Charter High School. In 2009, Jason and Loren “Skippy” Williams founded the Jack and Buena Foundation to help support Camp Jack Hazard, which later meant taking over 100% operations of the site and program. Jason is the current Executive Director of the Foundation.