Cup Match is truly a special time in Bermuda. From cricket to boating to beach time to camping and everything in between, it’s the island’s favourite holiday.
And if you go to the game, you understand why. The banter, the rivalry, the fun. And most important the camps.
Cup Match camps or plots are designated spots scattered around the cricket club, this year in Somerset, that are purchased by plot holders year after year. These camps start at eight by eight and increase to triple the size, depending on how many people the holder wishes to entertain.
Many camp holders have had their designated spot for years, some even decades and look forward to hosting their friends and family during this special two day holiday.
If this is your first year hosting a camp and you’re a bit nervous like I was in my first year, I’ve got you covered.
My advice is to start your preparations in advance. It doesn’t matter if your camp is small or large, it will need to be kitted out unless you just want to sit in an empty box.
At a minimum, you will need carpet/artificial grass for the floor to make it more comfortable, mesh screening to have privacy of sorts as there will likely be a camp on either side of you, a tarpaulin that can be used as protection for the ceiling of the camp (especially if there is a camp on top of you because drinks can spill) and as shade when the sun starts to set (depending on what side of the field you are on), zip ties, rope, a large cooler, etc.
If your camp is on the larger side, you likely will need to build out a bar and install pallets to have at least two levels for your guests to be able to see the game unobstructed. I have found over the years that Gorham’s is the best place to get all your materials for your camp and the sales associates are very helpful.
While I’ve hosted my camp for a number of years, I reached out to people who’ve had camps for even longer to get the best advice to pass on to you.
Jarreau Hayward, Chairman of Building and Grounds at St. George’s Cricket Club says: “Good people equals good times. You want to be prepared for the weather. Think it through – it may rain, it may be sweltering. Have contingencies for both like fans and tarps. Build layers in the camp so that the seating goes far. A higher tier at the back, a lower tier in the front.”
He continued: “Organize food and drinks because it’s better to have too much than too little. Bring multiple coolers and segregate the food from the ice for the drinks. Build a bar that’s practical and functional and also doubles as storage.”
Mr Hayward’s final piece of advice is this: “Pace yourself. Cup Match is a marathon. Don’t go hard with the drinks. Stay cool and take a nap or two.”
Kristin White and her husband Dueane Dill host a camp in St George’s and their advice is to make your camp special.
“Our camp is a reflection of our love for the holiday – from displaying quotes about emancipation, to our photo board that has camp visitors take and display polaroids, to our ‘Sweet Freedom’ camp sign designed by artist Shanna Hollis. So of course you want to have a space that’s welcoming, but ultimately, your camp should feel special to YOU. Also, get the most comfortable chairs you can find.”
Bethea Pearman has co-hosted a camp in Somerset for 25 years with Kina and George Cann. Her advice is to host people who get along well.
“Make sure to have people who get along well together and do not mind sharing in the expenses along with the setting up and breaking down. Cup Match is quite costly when you have a camp. It can easily cost $250.00 and upwards per person.
“Also, rather than bringing a whole lot of food it is easier to buy food at Cup Match. It makes for less work. Take your chairs and coolers to your camp the evening before Cup Match so that you are not carrying so much stuff in on the day of the match. There is security on the grounds all night so your chairs, coolers and other belongings are pretty safe.”
Asked about must-haves for a fun camp, Ms Pearman said: “People who are friendly and get along well with each other. You also must have a bar with alcoholic drinks, water, other beverages, ice and the necessary utensils for a bar. A table for snacks, cups, plates and napkins etc. Comfortable chairs, trash bags, a couple of tables and plenty of snacks. Music, you must have some music. Basically anything that you would take on a picnic except a bathing suit.”
Michelle Wilkinson hosts a camp at both clubs and her advice is to surround yourself with people you like.
“Find reliable people to be in your camp that are willing to pay their portion. That’s the main thing. And people who can deal with for two days. People you know how they act when they drink.
“Other than the people in the camp, setting up the camp is a lot of work with the pallets, flooring, the privacy screens around the camp, the liquor and so on. It’s wonderful but it’s a lot of work and you’ll need help breaking down on the Friday night. Having a camp is wonderful but there’s a lot to do.”
Cup Match Camp Checklist:
- Tarpaulin
- Chairs
- Zip ties
- Rope
- Cooler
- Ice
- Drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic)
- Snacks/food
- Privacy screening
- Pallets
- Music (optional)
- Trash bags
- Napkins
- Cups
- Small table
