The Rock Solid Education Foundation was started for dual purposes, to promote interest in rockhounding in young people and to raise money for area schools. Rock hounds are people who are involved in rocks and the mining of natural stones. Many rock hounds are older.

“It [rock hounding] is almost a lost art,” Anita Park-Rosenbaum said.

Park-Rosenbaum and her daughter, Alece Nordstrom — both artists and owners of Analece, an art and jewelry gallery in Fairhope — started the fund.

She said net proceeds from programs through the Rock Solid Education Fund will go to art departments in the Baldwin County School system.

“Travel Around the World with Rocks and Minerals” began in April. Now, 32 kids are registered in the monthly class. Participants can virtually travel to different countries, learn about the group of stones which are indigenous to countries, and learn how to find and extract stones, Park-Rosenbaum said.

Several weeks ago children studied stones and learned about the character of rocks from South America, Japan, China and Korea. A special program called the “Hands-On Mining Experience” will display an operating mine flume from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot on Oct. 13 at Analece. Participants can buy bags with guaranteed gemstone material and learn how to sift and extract gemstones from a clay base, similar to what you would do at a mining site, Park-Rosenbaum said. Stones can also be polished and made into jewelry.

In addition to the net proceeds from special programs, 10 percent of other purchases made as a result of the programs will be donated back to the schools.

The Rock Solid Education Fund will try to expand the program to try to reach more kids. Park-Rosenbaum said she would like to see school art programs receive more funding. As a result, she tracks what area schools are doing in their geology programs and takes it one step further with the program.

The kids have a hands-on experience and can learn how rocks can be used in every day environment. For example, crystals can help cleanse the air and absorb toxins, something that is beneficial and natural, Park Rosenbaum said.

“Stones are natural and have a lot of qualities about them that lend to health and wellness. They are beautiful.” she said.

One of the goals of the programs is to learn how to look for stones and rocks in a safe way. Examples of past damage to the environment when searching for rocks will be given.

It is important to leave the environment healthy, Park-Rosenbaum said, and the program encourages children to learn more about their natural environment.

Reaction from teachers has been positive, Park-Rosenbaum said, and some teachers who have visited the program have talked to kids about it, and the kids have come in as a result. In fact, Mobile Mineral and Rock Club sent several children over to attend the programs.

Children ages five to 13 years of age typically join the program, but adults are also welcome to attend, she said.

For more information about the Rock Solid Education Fund, contact Analece at 929-3620.