Freedom School Summer Peace Camp
Recognition Awards & Camp Program – August 7, 2026
Welcome……………………...…………………………….............……………Juanita M. Pressley
Executive Director, Freedom School of Chesilhurst, NJ
Pastor, Grant AME Church, Chesilhurst
Assistant Executive Director, Summer Peace Camp
Opening Song…………..................…..…“Hello to All the Children of the World”
Freedom School Camp Choir
Introduction of Staff and Presentations………………………Juanita M. Pressley
Primary Class Presentation…………………………………………….……..……Kim Ford
Teacher
Song…………………“Bare Necessities”………………Freedom School Camp Choir
Intermediate Class Presentation………………...………..…….Samuel W. Pressley
Teacher, and Kenneth Smith Sr., Athletic Director
Dance Presentation…………………........…………….………….Freedom School Choir
Song …………....……..“It’s A Jungle Out There”……………Freedom School Choir
Closing Remarks……......……………………………..………..……..Mayor Jamila Odom
Borough of Chesilhurst
Juanita M. Pressley, Executive Director, Freedom School
“Thank you for attending our 13th Annual Summer Camp Closing Program and for sharing and entrusting us with your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Your children are truly a blessing, and we all aim to care for them with excellence, as they are our future leaders of tomorrow and beyond. And a special thanks to our guest presenters, sponsors, and supporters!"
— Juanita M. Pressley, M.S., ODL, Executive Director
Freedom School Summer Peace Camp
Freedom School Summer Camp Staff 2026
Volunteer Teachers and Staff Administration
Beverly Burgess – Reading Teacher
Karen A. Ford – Teacher Assistant
and Assistant Medical Director
Karen Ford – Assistant Treasurer
Kim Ford – Teacher
Tanya Harold – Teacher Assistant
A. Faye Holmes – Treasurer
Simon Irving – Music Teacher
Jacqueline James – Administrative Director
Rochelle Parks – Choir Director
Priscilla Poindexter – Assistant Medical Director
Juanita M. Pressley – Executive Director
Sam W. Pressley – Teacher, Communications Consultant
Kenneth Smith, Sr. – Athletic Director
C. DeAnn Stanton (RN) – Medical Director
Rev. Cassandra R. White – Assistant Executive Director
Teen Volunteers
Ezra Govan
Lamar Scott
Borough of Chesilhurst Teen Workers
Jeremiah Ford
Taylor Pritchett
Junior Counselors
Araceli Jefferson
Andre Lawson
Tayla Robinson
Diego Villanueva
Tribute to Founders Revs. John and Darlene Reynolds
The Freedom School Summer Peace Camp and Leadership Academy was founded by the wife (now deceased) and husband team of Rev. John C. and Rev. Darlene J. Reynolds, while Pastor John served at Grant AME Church in Chesilhurst, N.J., in 2013.
The couple envisioned a summer camp where youth in Chesilhurst and the surrounding communities could attend to learn, play, and be safe during the summer. Moreover, the Reynolds wanted the program led and operated by caring, dedicated people who would teach enrolled children the meaning of a compassionate, educated, and socially minded community.
Freedom School Summer Peace Camp Pledge
Today I will do my best to be the best.
I will listen.
I will follow directions.
I will be honest.
I will respect the rights of others.
I can learn.
I will learn.
You see, I know it’s all up to me.
———————
Visit our website: freedomschoolofchesilhurstnj.org
Hundreds Attend Freedom School's 13th Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Festivities on April 4
→ PHOTO CAPTION: King Roberts, 7, (in white T-shirt) a second-grade student at Winslow School #2, was the lucky winner in a free raffle of a bicycle donated by Garrison Masonic Lodge #3 of Chesilhurst, N.J. Pictured L-R are: Masonic Lodge Worship Master Ben Kirkley, President Kenneth (Coach Kenny) Smith, Sr., and Freedom School President and CEO Juanita M. Pressley.)
Chesilhurst, NJ -- Hundreds of children and their parents, grandparents, and other relatives attended Freedom School's 13th Annual Easter Egg Hunt and other festivities on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the Arland Poindexter Community Center, 509 Edwards Avenue.
Besides the hunt, which was held on the lawns next door at the Shirley B. Foster Elementary School, the event featured a host of fun and games, free giveaways, Easter baskets laden with candy (some containing a surprise dollar bill!), and a lunch of pizza, hoagies, bottles of tropical drinks, and water. Event items, including the Easter baskets and candy, were donated by Walmart of Berlin, N.J., according to Freedom School President and CEO Juanita M. Pressley.
A highlight of the day was the drawing to donate a Husky bike that was donated by the Garrison Masonic Lodge #3 of Chesilhurst, N.J. The bike winner was King Roberts, 7, a second-grade student at Winslow School #2.
The Masonic lodge was represented at the event by President Kenneth (Coach Kenny) Smith, Sr., and Worship Master Ben Kirkley.
The Arland Poindexter Community Center is named in honor of a former mayor of the Borough of Chesilhurst.
OUR MISSION
The Freedom School Summer Peace Camp and Leadership Academy provides a safe environment for our children to learn and play.
OUR VISION
Our founders, the Rev. John C. Reynolds, Jr., and his wife, the Rev. Darlene J. Reynolds, formerly of Grant A.M.E. Church, in Chesilhurst, N.J., envisioned a summer camp where youth in the Borough of Chesilhurst and the surrounding South Jersey communities could attend the summer session, be supervised, taught, and cared for by a caring and dedicated staff of teachers and other volunteer support staff.
OUR GOALS
During the course of learning, playing and having fun in a safe summer environment, our students will also learning the meaning of a compassionate, educated and social-minded community.
Street-Naming Dedication and Ceremony
Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 2:45 PM
The Borough of Chesilhurst, in Honor of
Herbert and Iva Smith, Sr.,
renamed a section of
3rd & Washington Avenues
In tribute to the couple. The Smiths, who relocated their growing family from the City of Philadelphia in the 1960s, were pioneering and leading contributing residents to the growth of the Borough of Chesilhurst, New Jersey.
Tribute and street renaming were also made
on the same day in honor of
longtime resident Mrs. Gloria McClain
at 3 PM at 1st & Center Avenues.
Funeral services for Mrs. McClain were scheduled
for Saturday, November 15.
At 2 PM, a section of Atlantic Avenue
and White Horse Pike
was renamed in honor of the Rose Family,
and at 2:15 PM, a section of
2nd & Washington Avenues
was renamed in honor of
Joe Weston and Family.
♦ ♦ ♦
The ceremony was officiated and sponsored by
Chesilhurst Mayor Jamila Odom Garnett
& the Borough's Governing Council
A Luncheon Reception followed
the Street-Naming Ceremonies
at the Arland Poindexter Community Center
511 Edwards Avenue, Chesilhurst
Website Visitors: Remember to "reload and refresh" your viewing to see
the up-to-date version of the site. Please scroll down to view the 2024 Calendar
of Events below.
Freedom School of Chesilhurst concluded the School's 11th Annual Summer Peace Camp on Friday, August 9, 2024.
See a copy here ⇒
of the closing program that was held at the Arland Poindexter
Community Center.
Freedom School of Chesilhurst, NJ
2024 Calendar of Events
SAVE THESE DATES
♦Saturday, October 26, 2024, 12 noon - 3 pm:
Youth Halloween Party
Arland Poindexter Community Center
♦ Sunday, December 15, 2024, 2 pm - 4 pm
A Winter Wonderland Extravaganza
Arland Poindexter Community Center
PHOTO ESSAY:
Pictures from Freedom School's 9th Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Free Prizes Giveaway
April 8, 2023
(Place your arrow → on the photo to see it fully.)
(Note: Prizes were donated courtesy of Wal-Mart. The Mason Lodge of Coach Kenny Smith, Sr. donated the bike.)
Freedom School of Chesilhurst concluded the school's 9th Summer Peace Camp on Friday, August 12, 2022. See below for photographs from the closing program that was held Saturday, August 13, at the Arland Poindexter Community Center.
⇒Please click on the photo to view the full version, and to activate
the sliding arrows (L ↔R).
Freedom School's website tells much of our story (our history, programs, and activities) in photography and video essays because our focus is on our students and their enjoyment of our summer camps hosted by our dedicated staff of volunteers.
SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY BELOW
Please click on the ARROW to see ALL of the photos and click on EACH Image
to view the FULL photograph.
Freedom School Summer Peace Camp 2021 was housed at the Shirley B. Foster Elementary School Building. The Chesilhurst Board of Education and President Jordan Lyles granted the summer camp permission to use the school building. The Shirley B. Foster Elementary School in the Borough of Chesilhurst closed in 2009.
Thank You Students, Parents, Volunteer Staff, & Supporters for Another Successful Camp in
Summer of 2024!
Dedicated to Providing a Safe, Fun
and Learning Environment
for Our Children for the Summer
Since 2013
Our School Includes
The Leadership Academy...
Teaching Enrolled children the meaning of responsibility, and a
compassionate, educated
and social-minded community
Student campers maintain healthy practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABOUT Freedom School Summer Peace Camp
The Freedom School Summer Peace Camp and Leadership Academy was founded by the wife and husband team of Rev. John C. and (now deceased) Rev. Darlene J. Reynolds, while Pastor John served at Grant AME Church, in Chesilhurst, in 2013.
The couple envisioned a summer camp in which youth could attend to learn, play and be safe during the summer days. Moreover, they wanted the program led and operated by caring and dedicated persons to teach enrolled children the meaning of a compassionate, educated and social-minded community.
Our dedicated teachers and counselors instruct and coach our students in a variety of educational subjects, including:
- Arts & Crafts
- Music
- Line Dance
- Health & Hygiene
- Life Skills
- Computing & Technology
- Sports
One of our teachers, Karen Chew, coordinates the S.T.E.A.M. Program. S.T.E.A.M. is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as academic subject topics for guiding students and helping them to engage in critical thinking.
Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic
(COVID-19), our summer camp in 2020 was held virtually.
To the Parents and Guardians of Our 2019 Summer Camp Children
“Thank you in advance for attending our summer camp closing program on Friday, August 9, 2019, starting at 6 p.m., at the Arland Poindexter Community Center, in Chesilhurst, New Jersey. This marks the sixth anniversary of our summer program providing a fun, safe and learning environment.
"Thank you also for sharing and entrusting to us your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Your children are truly a blessing and ones who we all seek to provide excellent care. For they are our future leaders of tomorrow and beyond.”
— Juanita M. Pressley, M.S., ODL
Freedom School
Program Director
Freedom School Summer Peace Camp Pledge
I will learn...
Today, I will do my best to be the best.
I will listen.
I will follow directions.
I will be honest.
I will respect the rights of others.
I can learn.
I will learn.
You see, I know it's all up to me!
You See,
I know it's all up to me.
Special thanks to some of the individuals, companies and organizations who have supported Freedom School Summer Peace Camp through the years
- Mayor Michael Blunt, Borough of Chesilhurst
- Maria Littles, President, Chesilhurst Board of Education
- Mother Earth
- Derek Davis, West Atco Youth In Action, Inc.
- Winslow Township Schools Food Service Program
- South Jersey Food Bank'
- Chesilhurst Borough, Council and Maintenance Department
- New Jersey Governor's Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse
- Chesilhurst Masons (Garrison Lodge #3, Free and Accepted Masons)
- Negro Women Warriors
- Williamstown, N.J.
- P$P Productions
- Sam W. Pressley Communications (sampress.com)
Freedom School Summer Peace Camp and Leadership Academy Director Juanita M. Pressley (left) presents Award of Appreciation to the founders and the husband and wife team of the Rev. John C. and the Rev. Darlene J. Reynolds (now deceased) at the camp's closing program on August 10, 2018. Campers from the summer 2018 program are shown in their red tee shirts.
About our Program Director
Juanita M. Pressley retired in 2006 from management at Independence Blue Cross, a health insurance company based in Philadelphia, Pa., after 31 years of service. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wilberforce University, a master’s degree in the Dynamics of Organization from the University of Pennsylvania, and a second master’s degree in Organizational Development and Leadership from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her parents, Herbert and Iva Mary Smith, were among the staunch leaders and organizers in the 1960s that led to a caring and supportive Chesilhurst Community.
Click on banner to see 2019 Summer Camp closing bulletin program!
Freedom School of Chesilhurst held its Summer Peace Camp and Leadership Academy closing program on Friday, August 9, 2019. Just below is a video featuring some of the dance performances (choreographed by dance instructor Shilecion Cooper). Pictured on the right is a group photo of the campers with some of the program's volunteer staff and teachers. Special guests included New Jersey State Senate Fred Madden, Jr. (far right), Chesilhurst Borough Council President Jamila Odom-Garnett (next to Madden), and Councilwoman Rukiah Alwan (far left in black dress). Madden presented each camper with a Citation praising their attendance also from the State Senate and General Assembly. Camp Director Juanita M. Pressley is shown next to her (in white dress). Also in attendance (but not in picture) was Freedom School Founder, the Rev. John C. Reynolds, Jr. See photos here and also the Photo Gallery below for more pictures, included from the 2019 summer camp.
New Jersey State Senator Fred Madden, Jr. presents Resolutions from State Senate and General Assembly to Freedom School Summer Peace Camp Director Juanita M. Pressley (in photo at left) and Teacher Marianna Green (right) in recognition of their "outstanding service." The presentations were made at the closing ceremony for the six-week camp on Friday, August 9, 2019.
A third resolution was presented to camp volunteer Charles Amos, Sr., for his years of dedication to the summer program. Mr. Amos was not present for his award that was accepted by his wife, Patsie Amos.
(Kudos to Freedom School Executive Secretary and Tech Aide Helen Hart-Magobet for her assistance with the closing ceremony!)
Freedom School Summer Peace Camp 2021
Closing Program August 13, 2021
Newsletter July 2021
More Photos in Photo Gallery
Freedom School Summer Peace Camp 2021
Closing Program August 13, 2021
Newsletter July 2021
More Photos in Photo Gallery
Freedom School News and History
Summer Closing Program
Ar the end of each Freedom School Summer program our students receive Awards of Recognition for their camp achievements plus back packs filled with such back-to-school essentials as ball point pens, pencils and notebooks.
Historical Significance
of the Freedom School Concept
The concept of the Freedom School -- with its focus on summer literacy and cultural enrichment -- is rooted in the Mississippi Freedom Summer projects of 1964. Enrolled youths are empowered to learn and excel by believing in their ability "to make a difference in themselves, their families, communities, country and world..."
Enrolled students have fun in the camp as they are motivated to enhance their reading, writing math, thinking and decision-making skills.
Educators generally agree that it is in summertime and away from their regular school days that many students suffer "memory" lapses and losses of what they previously learned in their classrooms. The hope is to get students better prepared for the start of their new school year.
Activities & Events
Camp closing program
Freedom School Summer Peace Camp students welcome family, friends and other visitors to their closing program.
Bowling anyone?
Bowling is among the several summer trips and activities that the program offers. Other trips include swimming at a lake and a pool, roller skating , and visits to the Camden City Adventure Aquarium and the Philadelphia Zoo.
Having fun while learning
What a wonderful concept!
Enjoying a day in the park
...with friends, eating ice cream, water ice, grilled hot dogs and drinking cold sodas...
Freedom School Summer Peace Camp
Enrollment Application & Other Forms:
♦ Emergency Contact Information:
♦ Photo Permission Release Form:
♦ Notarized Statement of Child Care Form:
TESTIMONIALS
Note: New Testimonials will be provided at a later date on our website.
Our PHOTO GALLERY
Hello.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a virtual Zoom summer session in 2020.
In 2019, Freedom School Summer Peace Camp of Chesilhurst, Camden County, New Jersey held its closing ceremony on Friday, August 9. Here is a sampling of photographs from the six weeks of camp that featured educational and recreational activities, speakers, and trips. PLEASE NOTE: Click on any image to view the FULL PHOTO or the FULL IMAGES in the entire Photo Gallery; also click on an ARROW to move the album from left to right to view the additional photos in the Gallery.
CONTACT US
We welcome your comments, suggestions, and feedback.
E-mail Freedom School President and CEO Juanita M. Pressley
at juanita.Pressley29@gmail.com
Upcoming News (please see the top of this page.)
Website designed and donated by
Sam W. Pressley Communications (www.facebook.com/SWPPRStrategies)
contact: sampress@sampress.com / 609.634.6369
