For many people, Cup Match isn't Cup Match unless it is spent, not in the Crown and Anchor tents, but in the clusters of colourful tents that are pitched around the beaches and parks of Bermuda. Some enjoy their taste of open-air life so much that they spend weeks, or even the whole summer by the seashore -- a custom often inherited from their parents and now, handed on to their own children.

The three main locations designated as summer camping areas are Ferry Point Park, Coney Island and Chaplin Bay, but for the annual Cup Match holiday, campers are also being allowed access to Clearwater Beach and Daniel's Head.

"In fact, over Cup Match we have a `relax' period when we allow people to set up tents in most of the parks and beaches (apart from nature reserves), so long as the camps come down by Sunday night,'' says Park Officer Craig Burt.

He believes Kindley Field Road will be a popular venue, especially as this year's match is in St. George's.

Normally, campers need to book their corner of turf well in advance, particularly for extended periods between May and September. "We do provide portable showers and toilets at the main sites,'' says Mr. Burt, who points out that for many people, camping at the parks is their only vacation. "It makes a nice family holiday,'' he says, "and I think more and more families are doing this -- especially those with younger children. It's certainly a good way to make friends and we've noticed that, sometimes, even visitors to the Island end up camping with people they have met there.'' "I was born to do this!'' proclaims Mitchell Trott as he stretches out in his `dining room' tent (there are four more for this family of four, tucked away out of sight of other campers and just off the horses' trail). "It's a family tradition and I believe my father was one of the first to come here to Chaplin Bay -- long before it was made a designated area, anyway.'' "When we were courting, I can remember him talking about camping all the time,'' says his wife, Diana Trott and mother of 15-year-old twins She-a and Shelton."We were at college together in Massachusetts and when we came back, I decided I had to check it out for myself. We've been coming ever since. It's our vacation. We love being on this `trail' because everybody comes by -- the horse riders come through twice a day, and also the walkers and joggers. Everyone is very friendly.'' Highly organised, with three tents for sleeping (schoolfriends will be joining their children over the holiday) and a separate `kitchen' tent, Mrs. Trott says they are well-stocked for their week-long stay. "You name it, we've got it,'' she declares, waving a hand toward the gas barbecue and stacks of water bottles beside the ice coolers.

"I believe,'' she continues, "it would be nice if tourists could go camping.

We meet a lot here when we're here and they love to talk to us and we enjoy giving them a taste of our Bermuda food. It's a nice way for them to meet Bermudians and to find out about our lives and some of our customs.'' A religious family who put time aside each day for bible study and worship, the Trotts pass the rest of their time in `sing-alongs', playing games, swimming and jogging. "We have no TV -- and we don't miss it,'' laughs Mrs.

Trott. "We like to do active and inter-active things. This is the time we can free our minds. But we do have our cellular phone -- so we don't completely lose touch with society.'' Society, however, sometimes insists on making its presence felt, and the Mitchells warn that, even in this coastal Garden of Eden, thieves are, sadly, on the prowl. Two years ago, with hurricane `Felix' imminent, they packed away one of their tents which, along with other items, was immediately stolen.

"We were quite surprised,'' says Mr. Trott, "when we came back here last year and found that the people who had stolen it had not only put our tent back up, but had put it in exactly the same place we had had it, in full view of everyone who walked by! So at least we got it back.'' "And,'' says Mrs. Trott, "I would advise against bringing anything of value -- especially things like wallets, jewellery, radios or `Walkmen' because they're just too easy to carry off and, unfortunately, there seems to be a lot of stealing going on these days.'' Cousins Antoine Saunders (16) and Angela Weller (13), also come to Chaplin's Bay every year. "Cup Match is the best time of the year to be camping,'' says Antoine, who enters Cedarbridge Academy in September.

With plans to stay for about three weeks, he says there are "about six of us, and we have an aunty as supervisor. But she's not here right now -- so that's where I step in to take care of the children. We always come to Chaplin Bay, but to different areas. A lot of us come every year -- mostly the same people -- but everyone is very friendly.'' Noting that many people work during the day and return in the evenings, Antoine says that for them, the South Shore beaches "become a home away from home''.

Camping at Cup Match This year, his group has brought enough food for the four days which will be cooked on two barbecues. "It's very peaceful here -- we come to experience the great outdoors!'' It is not uncommon to find that many families bring their stoves, portable showers, toilets, armchairs, kitchen tables -- and even sewing machines -- along for the great adventure.

One group who did not wish to give their names, have been coming to the same spot for 18 years now. "This is our kitchen, and here's our stove. This is where we cook, eat, sit and talk and listen to our music. We have showers fixed up and are here for three weeks. We don't allow any visitors! We have about six families and we always come as a group. We're known as the `On the hill campers'. Yes, we're protected from rain and quite comfortable.'' From a tent across the way, a woman calls out, "And the housework still goes on!'' Mr. Burt says that park rangers will be on duty over the holiday from 9.30 a.m. to 10 p.m. from today through Friday night. "Special crews will be out, cleaning up trash and the bathrooms, and we are also installing toilets at Stone Crusher Corner by the Swing Bridge at Ferry Reach. I would like to remind people,'' he says, "that if there are any problems, they should contact the rangers and lifeguards. I would also ask people not to park in front of entrance areas or gates, because we need to have access in case of emergency.'' For further information on Cup Match or general summer camping arrangements, please telephone the Park Ranger Office at 236-5902 or 236-4201.