More than 200 members post hidden and found rock art on the new Facebook group “Mullica Hill Rocks”
During the 10 years she owned a daycare center, Mullica Hill resident Kimberly Keller learned kids love rocks. They love to find rocks and play with rocks but, most of all, paint rocks. It was when she saw the Facebook page titled “Disney Rocks,” where children and families painted rocks as Disney characters and hid them throughout the parks, Keller had the idea of starting something similar in her hometown.
With the help of her daughter and niece, the mother of four started the growing Facebook page “Mullica Hill Rocks.”
“It was mainly meant to focus on the kids so they could have parent involvement,”
Keller said. “The parents would be the ones taking the kids around and getting them out of the houses, off all of their devices and being out in our town. We have so many shops and things to do that a lot of people aren’t aware of; I thought if you were out and looking for rocks, you might realize how great our town is.”
The social media group, which began at the beginning of the summer with just five members, has grown to more than 200 subscribers, posting photos of rocks found throughout the township and sharing hints of where to find their own rock art.
“My kids enjoy the entire process — from finding the perfect rock, to painting it and finally hiding it. They even come up with their own clues,” resident Elyse Bittner Pekarchik said. “We haven’t found any rocks yet, but we are hopeful this group will expand and more kids will join in. It’s a super fun community-building activity that also encourages self-expression and creativity.”
According to Keller, the purpose of the rocks is to get children out of the house, off their technology devices, away from the television and interested in getting active while also being creative. Furthermore, the rocks can provide spontaneity and excitement to those who unexpectedly come across a rock, which may feature an uplifting quote, or inspirational message.
“If you’re having a bad day and you find that rock, it’s definitely going to put a smile on your face,” Keller said. “Kids have painted characters, there was a little M&M one, that was pretty cute.”
Keller said rocks have been hidden at a variety of locations through the township, such as ShopRite, flowerbeds on Main Street, soccer fields, the Amish market and more. Resident Kelly Yanek said her daughter, Kate, 8, hid a rock at the Raccoon Valley Swim Club.
“We also enjoy looking for other rocks around town. There seem to be other communities taking part in rock hiding and finding projects all around the country,” Yanek said. “We were on vacation in Niagara Falls in June and Kate found a rock from the East Central Ohio Rocks group. She was so excited, but more so because we have a rock group in our very own Mullica Hill. We hope it continues and we look forward to hiding and finding many more rocks.”
According to the “Mullica Hill Rocks” Facebook group, getting started with creating and hiding rocks is simple. Keller lists dos and don’ts on how to get started for new members. First, find your rock, the list said. Keller recommends painting the rocks with an acrylic paint and sealing them so they can withstand the weather, suggesting mod podge, clear varnish or even clear nail polish. On the back, the list said to include #MullicaHillRocks and a URL for the facebook page so others can learn about the fun. From there, hide the rocks around the surrounding area and post a photo with hints on where to find them for the group. Pictures of found rocks are also encouraged on the page so artists can know when their rocks have been found.
“My daughter loves painting, hiding and finding,” resident and group member Danielle Powell-Knipe said. “If it were up to her, we would hunt daily for these little treasures. It’s a lot of fun to see the little ones’ minds at work.”
Resident Heather Pollard said she uses the rocks to share her passion of volunteering and helping others with her son Landyn. The two decorated rocks with inspirational quotes and messages, leaving the rocks throughout the area at places that have brought them happiness.
Keller hopes the painted rocks will continue throughout the changing of the seasons, with the idea of holiday rocks through the winter months and the opportunity for rock hide and seek at the annual ghost tour or tree lighting on Main Street.
Those interested are welcome to join the Facebook group “Mullica Hill Rocks” by sending a friend request to the page, Keller said.
