Summer is the best time to enjoy the outdoors in Bermuda and nothing brings you closer to nature than camping. Cup Match is one of the biggest and busiest camping holidays, so before you pitch your tent, there are some rules you need to know. The Royal Gazette spoke with Parks Officer, Craig Burt from the Ministry of Environment and Sports and Department of Parks to get the lowdown on camping dos and don'ts of camping over Cup Match.

The Department of Parks has three designated campgrounds under its jurisdiction. These are used by campers for the duration of the camping season, which is from May until September, and include Ferry Point Park, Higgs & Horseshoe Islands and Chaplin Bay. Due to a major reforestation and environmental project, Coney Island is closed until further notice. However during Cup Match the restrictions are relaxed and campers, taking advantage of the long weekend, are allowed to erect campsites at more than 30 locations across the Island. (To learn where these additional sites are call the Department of Parks, Park Ranger Office at 236-5902 or 239-2355.)

For those who wish to camp outside these three designated campgrounds, Mr. Burt points out some important additional guidelines.

Camping will not be allowed at Blue Hole Park/ Nature Reserve, or Coopers Island Nature Reserve (at the old NASA site).

"There is also no camping allowed on the dune immediately behind Jobson's Cove in South Shore Park," he points out. "This dune area has rare sensitive plants that need to be protected. There is a sign erected advising users of this policy."

He adds that no tents or ropes to mark spots are permitted to be erected on Monday, July 27 and tents and ropes found erected at parks and beaches on this date will be taken down by the Department of Parks.

Campers may erect tents and tarps on Tuesday, July 28 to secure their preferred spot. "However, no one will be permitted to camp on this date. Please do not erect tents in front of the park and beach access gates," he adds. Camping will be permitted from Wednesday, July 29 until Sunday, August 2.

"Park gates will be open during the day on Wednesday, July 29 to allow campers and picnickers the opportunity to set up," he adds. "Park Rangers will be on duty until 10 p.m. the night of July 29 and will begin locking the gates at 9.30 p.m."

Mr. Burt insists that for the safety of all park users, all vehicles must be removed from the parks and placed in the designated parking lots.

"Park Rangers will also be on duty both days of Cup Match from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and the weekend, Saturday August 1 and Sunday, August 2 from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. to assist park users," he elaborates.

Lifeguards will be on duty at Clearwater Beach, Turtle Beach, John Smith's Bay, Horseshoe Bay and Long Bay at Coopers Island Nature Reserve from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. throughout the holiday period.

Mr. Burt says several beaches have safe swimming zones designated by buoys where boats and personal watercraft are not permitted to enter. These include Clarence Cove at Admiralty House Park, Clearwater Beach, Turtle Bay and Long Bay at Coopers Island.

"The Department of Parks maintenance crews will also be working from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. both days of the Cup Match holiday, as well as the weekend to collect trash, rake beaches and clean toilets," Mr. Burt adds.

Because of this ongoing work, access gates must be kept clear: "We ask the owners/drivers of vehicles to please use common sense and not to park in front of access gates as they must be kept clear so that Parks maintenance vehicles and emergency vehicles, including Police, Fire and Ambulance, can gain access at all times. Offending vehicles will be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense."

Also, because of private residences at John Smith's Bay Park, the access road must also be kept clear at all times.

"All camping equipment must be removed from the parks and beaches by Monday, August 3," Mr. Burt says of those camping over Cup Match weekend only.

"All equipment left after this "All equipment left after this date will be considered abandoned and will be disposed of by the Department of Parks."

Mr. Burt adds: "The cooperation of the general public during the busy 2009 Cup Match Holiday would be greatly appreciated by the staff of the Department of Parks. In addition, please be considerate and respectful of your neighbours, including those who stay adjacent to the parks and beaches. Music must be played at reasonable levels that will not disturb other park and beach users or residents."

Additional information for campers:

Permits: First come first serve basis. A deposit of $100 is required when booking a camping permit and will be refunded after the camping season is finished by the Accountant General Department. Other fees include $12 per night per site and fees must be paid at the time the site is booked.

Conditions of Camping: Limited to residents of Bermuda — Cruise ship workers and visitors to Bermuda are permitted to camp ONLY if they are registered and staying in a guest accommodation, on a cruise ship or at a private residence.

Check out time is 4 p.m. and only proper tents are to be pitched and limited to three tents per site. Tents are not to exceed 12ft. by 15ft. or 180 sq. ft. including awning. No open wood fires are permitted — Charcoal, propane or liquid fuel stoves are acceptable within a suitable metal container. Ashes from barbecues should be soaked with salt water and disposed of in waste barrels. And cooking in tents is permitted and a maximum of eight people is allowed per site.

The maximum stay in each campground is six weeks. When the maximum stay has been reached, all tents and equipment must be removed from the campground. The site must be vacant for 48 hours. One written warning of 24 hours will be given for tents left on site after the expiration of a permit. Should the tent not be removed as per the written notice, Park Rangers will confiscate the tent and equipment.

Garbage bags are provided for each site. Please bag you garbage and dump it in the nearest trash bin. Additional bags can be obtained from Park Rangers on patrol.

Under no circumstances may branches or trees be cut down or the ground excavated.

Generators are not permitted.

Dogs are permitted. Noise must be kept to a minimum.

Mr. Burt asks that campers keep their campsite clean: "All vacated campsites are checked by Park Rangers and if a site is not left free of litter, the campers responsible may be denied camping privileges in the future and their deposit not refunded."

For further information, please contact the Department of Parks, Park Ranger Office at 236-5902 or 239-2355.