If you’re out and about, you might notice colorful painted rocks hidden in various spots around Camden. Examine one of these stones closer and it just might make your day.
The rock placement in the area is an outgrowth of the Kindness Rocks Project - founded in 2015 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, by Megan Murphy. The rocks are part of a growing social media trend to promote random acts of kindness all over the globe.
Participants are instructed to paint a rock with an inspirational message and then hide it in public. Upon finding a rock, people are instructed to take a photo and move it to a new location so others may find it. The rocks vary in size, shape and color. Some sport inspiring quotes like “You’re worth it,” “Move Forward” and “God loves you.” Some are painted to look like ladybugs or cartoon characters. The only common characteristic the rocks share is that they were planted by someone hoping to spread a bit of joy to a complete stranger.
Katelyn Wood of Express Care Clinic discovered the trend recently and joined in on the fun.
“I found out last Thursday about it," Wood stated. "A co-worker came to work saying she had found a rock at the post office. So we looked it up on the Facebook page and (I) immediately thought it was a great idea - especially for the young kids to get out during the summer. I think if someone is going through a tough time or a bad day and happen to see a rock, it could make a difference later in their day. So I gathered a handful of rocks and I have begun painting them and slowly putting them out around Camden.”
April Anderson of Warren is the administrator and organizer of the 870PaintedRockhunt Facebook page. She found out about the Kindness Rocks Project from a post in an online hiking group when a member of that community spotted a painted rock on a hiking trail.
The woman who made the post went on to say how much the rock meant to her, as she was going through a rough time her life. This gave Anderson the idea to research the kindness project, and she then founded the #870paintedrockhunt.
”It’s just so amazing to watch individuals from all walks of life come together and join in a fun community building project regardless of their age, gender, race or religious and political affiliations,” Anderson said.
“I’ve hid over 150 rocks myself. Painting is my therapy. I get into it. So, I really put out quite a bit of rocks.”
The project is officially registered with the Kindness Rocks projects and sports an interactive map on the website, as well as a highly active Facebook page - a group which boasts more than 14,000 members from around the state.
The group is open to the public, with any member having the authority to add other members.
“Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined it taking off like it did,” Anderson said. “
You have families coming together. The kids aren’t sitting in front of the TV all summer. It’s just awesome.”
The group asks that rocks are kept ‘family friendly’ as well as free of political statements or anything confrontational. The group posted these basic guidelines on its Facebook page:
“The goal is simple… to promote random acts of kindness to unsuspecting recipients…whether by painting and dropping inspirational rocks or some other cool creative way to bring kindness into the world.
"If you find a painted rock, snap a photo & add it to this group, then take the rock to a different location & hide it. If you do choose to create and hide rocks place follow the next two rules:
• Hide rocks on public property only.
• Do not hide in grassy areas as this could cause damage to lawn mowers & property.”
If a prospective rock-hunter finds a stone they have a connection with, they don’t have to necessarily relocate it either.
“We also have an option in our group to adopt a rock.
"So, if you come across a rock and it means something special or it helps you in that moment, you can keep the rock. You get to adopt it and give it a forever home.”’
Thekindnessrocksproject.com also offers these helpful tips for would be rock hiding enthusiasts:
Find rocks: Smooth rocks work best. Many craft stores sell 3 to 5 inch smooth river stones.
Prepare rocks by spray painted a beginning coat. This gives a blank canvas to work on, as well as seals the rock so paint pens last longer
Use oil-based Sharpie™-type pens. The kindness project says these pens last longer and are easy to work with
Paint final coat of non toxic clear sealant, This protects the artwork from elements like rain and keeps the paint from harming the environment.
Visit the movement's Facebook page or website to find out more about how to participate in this fun, uplifting project.