Our Approach
We have a developmental approach and strive to provide quality, fun and well rounded programs for all of our participants. Since 2003 we have made it our mission to develop programs that serve with joy! Our staff truly enjoy working with children and this can be seen on a daily basis. We urge you to come and see this for yourselves!
Our Story
Bridget Nelson brings over 28 years of experience in running child care and early childhood education, and youth programming. She has successfully operated licensed child care programs since 2003, including seasonal camps, enrichment classes, and after-school programs serving children in elementary and middle school. As an Executive Director and co-owner of Little Learners, LLC, she provides leadership in program development, staff training, family engagement, and daily operations across a range of educational and recreational programs.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Mount St. Mary’s University and a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Early Childhood Education from California State University, Northridge. In addition, she has completed over 40 units in Child Development, coursework toward Educational Therapy certification, and continues to participate in ongoing professional development. Bridget holds a California Child Development Program Director Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Her leadership philosophy emphasizes developmentally appropriate practice, program innovation, and child-centered learning environments. She is certified in the Handwriting Without Tears program, a research-based multisensory curriculum used in the Ladybugs Pre-K classroom to support early literacy development. Bridget’s hands-on, collaborative approach ensures programs are structured, engaging, and aligned with quality standards and district expectations.
Carly Armacost brings over 25 years of experience in early childhood education and school-age programming and serves as an Executive Director and co-owner of Little Learners, LLC. Her career reflects long-term leadership in the development, implementation, and oversight of after-school programs, enrichment classes, and seasonal camp services for children from early childhood through middle school.
Carly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from California State University, Northridge and has completed extensive coursework in Early Childhood Education. She is currently completing her California Child Development Program Director Permit through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
In her role, Carly provides comprehensive leadership in staffing management, including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, supervision, and performance evaluation of instructional and support staff. She has established structured systems for staff training and professional development to ensure consistency, accountability, and continuous program improvement. Her leadership contributes directly to program quality, operational efficiency, and positive relationships with local partners.
Carly is known for her ability to adapt programming to meet evolving requirements, implement continuous improvement strategies, and lead teams in delivering high-quality services. Her leadership strengthens program effectiveness, staff performance, and student experience across all program areas.
Meet the Team
Camp Calabasas and Little Learners has a staff who dedicate themselves to providing quality programs to those we serve. Our staff are all over the age of 18 and are attending college or hold degrees in child centered fields. Staff attend classes, seminars, are CPR/First Aid Certified, and stay on top of new things in the field to continues to enhance your child's camp experience.
Raquel Avila-Camou
Assistant Program Director
Camp Calabasas Program
Little Learners Kinder Program
Ms. Raquel has been a valued member of our team since 2008, serving in a variety of roles and consistently contributing to the success of Little Learners and Camp Calabasas. Through her dedication and growth in each position, she has advanced to her current role as Assistant Program Director. Ms. Raquel is a dedicated leader who strives to provide high quality programming for our participants.
Known for her warm and approachable demeanor, Ms. Raquel takes pride in building meaningful relationships with both participants and their families. She brings a strong ability to balance staff supervision, daily program operations, and community partnerships, while also playing a key role in developing and enhancing programs that support overall program success.
Christina Rivas
Lead Staff
TK/Kinder Programming
Ms. Christina has been working with the youngest campers since 2018 when she joined our team. During her time working at Camp Calabasas, Ms. Christina has shown interest in assisting to develop programs for the youngest members of our community.
Ms. Christina graduated with her BA in History in 2023 from California State University, Northridge. She has also taken several Child Development classes and is currently completing her Masters in Educational Psychology with a Specialization in Early Childhood Education from California State University, Northridge. Her success in working with our youngest participants has helped us provide a quality program during both after school and for seasonal camps. Ms. Christina brings a lot to all of our programs and she is a valued member of our team.
All Other Staff
All of our Little Learners and Camp Calabasas staff members work to provide a great experience for all those who attend our programs. Staff members are assigned to specific grade levels and support one another in providing quality programs for each participant.
Contact Us....
If you want to know more about the programs we offer please contact us!