Girl Scouts Badge Workshop FAQs

When your troop arrives at the Museum, please follow the signs to Artopia and make your way up the stairs to the blue doors of the Creative Studio. A Museum staff member will greet your group, check you in, and issue Museum visitor stickers. 

When your troop arrives at the Museum, please follow the signs to Artopia and make your way to the Union Street entrance to the blue doors of the Creative Studio. A Museum staff member will greet your group, check you in, and issue Museum visitor stickers. 

Your workshop will be led by our Teaching Artists, who will provide a brief orientation highlighting the installations and activities you’ll engage with, along with basic safety guidelines for your visit.

Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled workshop time to allow for unloading and check-in. Workshops begin promptly at the scheduled start time. 

Artopia: NCM Creative Studios is located on the second floor of The New Children’s Museum at 200 W. Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101. The entrance to Artopia is on Union Street and Island Ave. 

Click on these links for more information on additional parking in the area or public transportation via San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. 

Museum admission is not included in the Girl Scout Badge Workshop registration fee, but can be added on!

If your troop chooses to add a self-guided Museum visit after the workshop, Scouts will gather their belongings and head downstairs to begin a two-hour exploration of the Museum’s galleries. During orientation, your group will receive a Play Book to help guide your visit and share details about our interactive art installations.

Please note: for safety and program reasons, some areas of the Museum are not accessible to self-guided groups. These include the Studio Workshops and Paint + Clay Patio.

Troops are encouraged to become familiar with the Museum’s layout, visit our website to view our current installations. 

The New Children’s Museum is always offering something new! During your visit, the Museum may close specific installations for construction. Guided and Self-Guided visitors will be advised on alternative options for play. 

Limited parking is available in the Museum garage for $20/car (NCM Members + EBT/WIC/SNAP $10/car). Please see attendant for parking ticket and pay inside the Museum. There are public parking lots and parking meters nearby. ABM Parking at 450 2nd Ave. offers a 2-hour discount with code 8792 (not valid during Padres games and other times at ABM’s discretion).

The parking garage opens 15 minutes before we open (8:45am) and 15 minutes after we close (4:15pm). You will NOT have access to your vehicle after 4:15pm.

Public transportation is available on the MTS Trolley Green Line and on the MTS Bus. Closest MTS Bus Stops:
1st Ave. + Broadway (Routes 2, 7, 11, 30, 50, 110, 150, 215, 235, 280, 290, 901)
4th Ave. + G St. (Route 3)
1st Ave. + G St. (Routes 11)

School bus drop-off: Direct your bus driver to drop off students on Island Avenue in front of the Museum before the cross walk and the Museum entrance. This is the only designated bus parking location. 

Chaperone car parking: The Museum’s on-site parking garage has a daily rate of $20 per vehicle. It is located on Front Street just south of Market Street. Proceeding south on Front Street, after crossing Market Street you will see Richard Walkers Pancake House on the right hand side; turn immediately into the driveway past the restaurant and turn right again into the underground parking garage. Metered parking is also encouraged as the garage is subject to reach capacity. 

Follow links for more information on additional parking in the area, public transportation via San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and detailed directions. 

All payments are made at the time of registration online. We accept all major credit cards. We can also invoice your troops at your request. 

All sales are final at the time of registration. 

Yes! Click here to learn more.

The Museum offers both in-person and virtual tours for schools and other groups from pre-kindergarten through high school. Click here to learn more.

Camps at our Museum combine hands-on art-making activities, creative games, and playtime in the park with the opportunity for children to think, play, and create in the Museum’s installations. Our camp programs are designed for children ages 5-10. Click here to learn more.

To ensure the best possible experience for everyone, if you are visiting with a group of 10 of more people please reach out to groupvisits@thinkplaycreate.org to schedule and coordinate your visit. Learn more about group visits here.

Food and beverages can be purchased at Bean Sprouts Café inside the Museum.

Outside food and drink is permitted but must be consumed in the café area or outside the museum ONLY to ensure we maintain safe, sanitary and allergen-free exhibits. No food or drink is permitted in Artopia. 

Exhibits within the Museum are ADA accessible. We also have sensory friendly spaces + programs. Noise reduction headphones are available upon request.

People with service dogs will be allowed full access to all areas. Service dogs must be on a leash and in the control of the person with a disability or their companion. Pets and Emotional Support Animals are not allowed.

We require one chaperone for every five scouts. A 1:1 ratio is acceptable for groups with special needs. Chaperones are responsible for the behavior of their group and any necessary discipline or class management. Chaperones are expected to support the Self-Guided Tour and assist scouts in remaining attentive and engaged. 

Yes! The Museum’s Tax ID is 95-3619583. Earned revenue covers a portion of the Museum’s operating costs and generous donations make our high-quality exhibits and programs possible. Click here to learn how you can support the Museum.

Yes, please email info@thinkplaycreate.org or call 619 233 8792 to inquire about a missing item.