GOOSE CREEK, S.C.–The idea of the game is simple. Find a rock, hide it elsewhere, or keep and paint your own to continue the hide-and-seek experience.
A “Goose Creek Rocks” Facebook page formed a few weeks ago to spread word about the activity that is bringing smiles and joy to many. The public page is a forum for those to share pictures of rocks they found and where. There are already more than 500 members as of Sunday.
Victoria Morrell, one of the founders of the idea, recently posted a photo of a stone painted with a four-leaf clover she chose to keep for its special meaning. Her message said, “my mom would search for 4 leaf clovers. She found many…would put them in pages of her Bible. I lost my mom in 2004. I found my clover.”
Morrell with her husband and daughter traveled to Whidbey Island beach in Washington to visit family recently, and it was there that the “Goose Creek Rocks” idea formed.
Her daughter, Jerrika Morrell, said while strolling on the beach her sister-in-law was carrying a rock she recently painted and told them about the concept.
“The following day we went to the same beach to choose rocks to decorate and in doing so we found rocks that had been decorated and hidden,” she said.
Jerrika said they instantly fell in love with the idea and decided to bring it back to Goose Creek.
“I can’t tell you what a joy it is to find something so simple. Not only are you brightening someone’s day, but also it helps people to get out in nature.”
Anyone can decorate a rock, either purchased or found in nature, said Jerrika. The rock can be decorated with whatever you like, as long as it has a clear coat sealer on top to preserve the art. On the back it should say “keep or re-hide, but please post a picture to Goose Creek Rocks” Facebook page.
Although you can openly share rocks you’ve painted on the page, Jerrika recommends not posting “clues” to where the stone is hidden as it’s supposed to be a “joyful surprise to give to others.”
There is one thing she’d like to see for Goose Creek that Whidbey Island had adapted, which would be businesses painting rocks with their logos on it. The finder of the rock could take it to the business and receive a small discount on a purchase.
“It’s just an added bonus for the store and the finder and helps the businesses join in on the fun and get involved in our community just a little bit more too,” she commented.
For now, that stone remains unturned.
