Beaumont's Newest Craze: How Painted Rocks Are Bringing A Community Together

BEAUMONT, CA – Taking a walk through Beaumont these days just got more interesting – and colorful. And more friendly. And it's all thanks to a new trend that is taking the community by storm. Painted rock hunting.

If you haven't heard about it yet, don't worry, you're not too far behind the curve. The "Beaumont Ca. Rocks" group just started about a week ago, but has already ballooned to nearly 900 members. Locally, it's a new trend. Nationally, it's popped up in hundreds of communities over the last several months.

As school got out for the summer, three local women decided to bring the craze to Beaumont.

Aly Capote tells Patch that she started the project, which is operated via a Facebook group, with her friends Heather Bird and Lindsey Oliver to teach their children about how random acts of kindness can brighten someone's day.

"We wanted to challenge this amazing small town to just simply spread joy, because everyone can always use an extra smile!" she said on Thursday.

The way the project works is pretty simple: You paint a rock, you hide a rock, you find a rock.

"Just today I was hiding rocks with my children when two parks and rec employees stopped by to thank me and ask me about the group," she said. "They were sharing with me how exciting it was that they themselves are coming across hundreds of rocks at different parks all across town and how awesome they think it is to see the excitement on kids faces when they come and go."

BeaumontCaROCKS is taking kids and families outdoors to local parks, playgrounds and other city landmarks.

"When rocks are found by others there are no rules," Capote said. "They can choose to keep them, re-hide them, replace them or simply smile and walk away."

Most people choose to only take one or two rocks, to help spread the fun around.

Before the hiding and finding phases, many people are having a blast getting creative with their designs. There are rocks painted like flowers, bugs and minons. Some have glitter, some have faces. We've even seen some painted like food. But all of them have one thing in common – that they are helping to spread a little bit of extra cheer. (Capote also suggests painting or writing #BeaumontCaROCKS on the back, so that more people can find the group.)

"It's incredible to see the different ages getting involved and how many families are growing closer from the activity they can all enjoy together!" Capote said.

Click here to find the Facebook group and request to join!

--

Images courtesy: Lindsey Nuttall and Aly Capote