CLAD in their yellow shirts, khaki pants, brown knee socks and shoes, park rangers look like they have it made and just relax away the days.

But 20-year-olds Zoe Roberts and Tariq Lynch-Wade, along with 38 other student rangers, must bear the enormous responsibility of ensuring that there is order in the Island's camping grounds.

In the summer months, the Parks Department hires students to man Bermuda's parks and Zoe and Tariq said people did not realise how much the rangers actually did.

"People think park rangers don't do anything. They don't realise everything we do'' Zoe said. "They don't realise how many parks there are.

"We have to go to all the parks and make sure people have their permits,'' she continued.

Tariq added: "We also look for suspicious characters, perverts and stolen bikes. We make our presence known and let the campers know we are here just in case.'' Often the rangers must bear the brunt of much of the hostility toward the Parks Department from campers.

While spending a Saturday afternoon with Zoe and Tariq, The Royal Gazette bore witness to some of the difficulties they faced.

A family that was moving off a site was experiencing difficulty as an access gate was locked.

And family members became hostile towards the two student rangers and claimed the grass was not cut when they arrived, there were no trash bags and that it was ridiculous that the gate was locked.

And members said the gate was unlocked when they arrived, making it easier to move in.

But Zoe and Tariq noted the campers had driven their car through the gate for easier unpacking after they were told not to.

Members of the family said it would be their last year camping and added that they intended to complain to Parks Officer Craig Burt.

Zoe and Tariq said strict rules were necessary to ensure Bermuda's parks were protected and kept in good condition.

And they said access gates were kept locked for that reason.

Tariq noted: "When the gate is opened, the grass gets damaged because people drive their cars through here.'' Park rangers are also responsible for confiscating the property of illegal campers and for supervising concerts and events in the parks.

Wide-ranging role: Zoe Roberts and Tariq Lynch-Wade