FAQs

ARRIVAL
National Museum of Natural History – Constitution Avenue Entrance

Attendees may bypass the public security line and go through the staff security check point. Simply tell the officer that you are a participant in a Smithsonian Early Enrichment (SEEC) family workshop and provide your name and your child’s name. If your name is not on the registration, you will have to go through security. Security lines, especially during the spring and summer months, can be long.

CHECK IN
Staff will be waiting for you between the T-Rex head and glass double doors labeled Smithsonian Library located on the SAME level in which you entered.

A staff person will be available to check you in up to 30 minutes after the start of class. After which point, you may follow the signs to gain entry to our classroom.

ON-TIME ARRIVAL
SEEC strongly recommends arriving on time. We structure the start of our morning so children can become acquainted with the environment and educators. Children who arrive late often have a more difficult time acclimating to a new space/people and they miss out on the play we have designed to support your child’s understanding of the day’s theme.

CARETAKERS AND SIBLINGS
Tickets are good for one caretaker/child. Additional caretakers are welcome to wait in our conference room and join us for the museum portion of the class. We usually leave for our museum visits about 45 -50 minutes after the start of class. We are not able to accommodate siblings unless they are infants in carriers.

STROLLERS
Registrants are welcome to bring a stroller, but if your child is in a carrier or able to walk you might find it easier to move through the museums. It is important to always be mindful of strollers, especially in smaller gallery spaces.

SNACK
A nut-free snack is provided for the toddler, twos and Pre-K classes. If your child has an allergy other than nuts, please bring your own snack. Food is not permitted inside the museums.

GETTING TO THE MUSEUM
We know it can be difficult finding parking, getting through traffic, or managing metro. Please give yourself some extra time so that when you find a street is closed or there is no parking nearby you can still make it on time.

We will do our best to notify you of large events and/or street closures within the vicinity of the Museum, but it is ultimately the registrant’s responsibility to plan their route. Consider checking http://www.godcgo.com/ before you travel.

PARKING
Street parking is available, but fills up quickly. Consider utilizing apps to help you find a spot or pay for your meter the night before class. If all else fails, there are a number of garages within walking distance.

METRO
Closest stations: Federal Triangle, Smithsonian and Navy/Archives. Please check metro’s schedule for track work and delays.

WEATHER
Come prepared, we walk outside in most weather.

REFUNDS
Full refunds with up to two weeks’ notice. With one week notice, we offer transfers to another class. Transfers are subject to availability.