CL joins painted rock hide-and-seek craze

BY Betty Williams

Painted Rock Hide-and-Seek is the latest summer craze to spread throughout the United States. It’s a game with a simple concept, but a larger message of unity.

After seeing a post on a friend’s Facebook page showing painted rocks found in a park, resident Jenny Teperson decided to research the painted rock craze. During her search, Jenny stumbled upon an article based on the Kindness Rock Project.

Inspired by Megan Murphy, the Kindness Rock Project was founded in 2015. Megan wrote kind messages with a Sharpie permanent marker on five rocks and left them on a beach. From that day, the Kindness Rock Project began and has evolved into a variety of groups all around the U.S. and in other parts of the world. The goal is simple – connect many, inspire many and create a kinder world.

“I loved the idea behind it,” said Jenny. “It’s something that can brighten someone’s day and something the family can do together. It’s perfect for a place like Canyon Lake.”

Painted Rock Hide-and-Seek offers fun for the entire family. It’s an inexpensive activity that gets kids off their electronic devices and into the outdoors. Any size rock can be used, but small, flat garden rocks are the most popular. Colorful images or uplifting words are painted on the rock using a Sharpie permanent marker or acrylic paints. The rocks are then hidden in parks or other public areas.

A typical group starts with a Facebook page where members can share photos of their painted rocks and post clues on where to find the hidden rocks. Painted rock seekers can either keep the rocks they find, leave them or re-hide them. Participants are encouraged to post photos of their rock finds to a local painted rock Facebook page.

In July, Jenny started the Canyon Lake Rocks Facebook page and invited fellow residents and friends to a rock painting party. Six adults and five children attended. Jenny provided acrylic paints and brushes and the guests brought their own rocks. “Everyone really enjoyed painting the rocks,” said Jenny. “Some took their rocks to hide themselves while other left their rocks for us to hide.”

The Canyon Lake Rocks Facebook group has grown to nearly 200 members in less than two months. Members of the group have hidden rocks in parks, beaches, trees, docks, playgrounds, and other places throughout Canyon Lake. Some of the rocks are well hidden, others are in plain view.

Jenny plans to host another rock painting party for the group in September.

For more information about the painted rock group in Canyon Lake, visit the group’s Facebook page at Canyon Lake CA Rocks.