Rock on: Paines rocks hide-and-seek craze comes to Southeast Missouri

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- It is hide and seek in Southeast Missouri and the number of players just keeps growing.

Approximately two weeks ago, painted rocks began making their appearances around towns. There were brightly painted rocks on window sills, atop fire hydrants and along the Mississippi riverfront walk.

It all began, explained Cammy Gilmer of New Madrid, as she was looking for a way to entertain her 10-year-old daughter, Ava, and son, Brock, 5. Gilmer's friends were aware of her efforts to involve the children in different projects each day and one texted her a link to a site about painting and hiding rocks. Her friend insisted this was something the family had to do.

"So I kind of thought about and said you know what, we are going to do that. The next day we painted rocks," said Gilmer.

Those 13 original rocks were hidden around town and Gilmer created the Facebook page, 573 Rocks! New Madrid County, where she posted pictures of their creations and dropped some hints on where they could be found.

Since then the idea has spread. Gilmer's page already has 614 followers and she has watched as two other Facebook pages followed - Sikeston Rocks and 379 Rocks! Portageville.

According to Gilmer, the idea behind painting and hiding the rocks began several years ago. The rocky hide-and-seek game is played in cities across the United States now.

Ava said the project is fun and said her friends have joined in, painting and hiding their own rocks, including at least one which she found. It isn't hard either, she added.

"You paint the rock then spray them with a clear coat on each side. Then you just try to hide them," explained Ava.

Some of those who have found one of the rocks have posted pictures of their children holding it the 573 Rocks! New Madrid County page, Gilmer said. Some collect the rocks, others find a new hiding place for them.

Even several of New Madrid businesses have joined the fun, designing and hiding rocks. Those who find them are rewarded with special treats or prizes.

New Madrid Pharmacy has a rock designed with its name and logo on it. Owner J.B. Small said when he heard about the rock hunters, he thought it was a good idea and a good way for the business to become more involved with the community.

"It gives kids something to do especially for the summer when the kids might get bored," Small said.

He noted in the evenings as he is checking prescriptions after the pharmacy has closed, he watches as parents with the children can be seen checking the courthouse lawn and other landmarks for hidden rocks..

While finding rocks is the most fun for Ava, she said she also enjoys painting them. Brock prefers finding the rocks as for the painting sometimes he gets more on himself than on the rock.

The siblings did agree on their favorite hiding place - the cannons situated around town.

Gilmer admits to enjoying the project as much as her children.

"I think it is great. I think I have a hundred pictures saved on my phone of rocks to paint," Gilmer said, pointing out how creative many of the designs are.

While it is fun, there are other benefits, the Gilmers said.

"It gets people outside and walking," said Ava.

"It gives kids something to do. It is parents engaging with their kids and the kids are outside instead of on their electronics," her mother pointed out.

And since beginning the project she has discovered another benefit. She has heard from several people who have found the Gilmers' rocks hidden in New Madrid. One person wrote that they found the rock and it turned a bad day better.

"Just knowing that someone is going to come along and find it and it is going to brighten their day.... That is really neat," Gilmer said.

And as the trend continues to grow, Gilmer is organizing a townwide rock hunt for the community's upcoming Independence Celebration on July 1.

Gilmer is asking those who plan to participate to not go rock hunting on June 30 but to paint lots of rocks and hide them that day. The finding will begin at 8 a.m. July 1.

She has had several businesses and individuals donate prizes for finding special rocks.

"It is like Easter in July," observed Ava with a grin.