Serving the High Plains

Agencies hosting painted rock scavenger hunt

Altrusa International of Tucumcari, Tucumcari Fine Arts League and the Quay County Health Council are hosting an eight-week scavenger hunt for painted rocks beginning Thursday that include gift cards as prizes.

These groups have been busy painting and preparing rocks for the event. Batches of rocks will be hidden each week in Tucumcari parks.

“We are encouraging families to go for walks around our parks and look for the rocks,” said Brenda Bishop, Quay County Health Council coordinator. “This is a perfect time of year to get outside and be physically active.”

One of the goals of the project is to increase physical activity. The other goal is to improve mental health. Those who are painting are using creativity to improve mental health, and those who are hiding and searching for the rocks are using getting outdoor and physical activity to improve physical and mental health.

When a rock is found, the finders are encouraged to post a picture on social media with the #RockYourWalks tag. Each of these special rocks will have a label on the back with instructions for turning them in to receive a coupon for a cookie provided by Subway restaurants.

The Quay County Tax Assessor Office in Tucumcari will collect the found rocks. The office is open from 8 a.m.. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday on the first floor of the courthouse at 300 S. Third St.

To add to the fun, a special rock will be hidden weekly through May. The Rock of The Week prize will be a gift card. The person who turns in the most rocks will receive the grand-prize gift card. If there is a tie, the winner will be drawn. To be eligible for a prize, all rocks must be turned in to the Assessor’s Office by June 4.

Keep up with the challenge and what some of the hidden rocks look like on the Quay County Health Council and the Altrusa International of Tucumcari pages on Facebook. Follow the #Rockyourwalks tag to view the event. Some clues may be revealed on where some rocks are hidden.