TIFTON — If you spy a brightly painted rock in Tifton this summer, congratulations, you’ve just stumbled across a new trend that has people of all ages hunting and hiding around Tifton.

The idea first got started in April with the Facebook page Tifton Rocks, created by Laurie Smith Tyre, who started the page after seeing a similar group from St. Simon’s Island.

Many groups around Tifton have begun hosting rock painting parties, including the principal of Charles Spencer Elementary, Tammy Corbin.

At a rock painting party June 28, Corbin said that over 100 people showed up to paint rocks.

“It gives them a chance to get out in the community and learn the community, see things they haven’t seen and meet different people,” she said.

She got the idea after hearing that Vacation Bible Schools were doing it, and wanted to use it as a way to encourage friendship and kindness.

“I wanted to bring it to our community, to our kids here,” she said.

The rocks are painted, sealed and hidden around the community for others to find.

Once someone finds one, they are supposed to take a selfie with the rock and post it to the Tifton Rocks Facebook page. Then they can either keep it, keep it and replace it with one of their own or they can take it and hide it elsewhere.

Businesses are getting in on the fun as well.

Ellie’s Clothing Boutique painted and hid eight rocks throughout Tifton, and anyone who finds one can bring it into the store and turn it in for a prize.

If you want to get in on the fun, there are a few things to remember:

• Be careful where you hide your rocks. Don’t hide them where they are hard to get to or could hurt someone, and don’t trespass. Ask business owners before putting rocks around their business.

• If you’re painting rocks, remember that most of the people looking for them are children and keep it appropriate. It’s also a good idea to seal your rocks before putting them outside in the elements.