What you will need to pitch a tent
Your local Home Depot has everything you will need. Here is your shopping list:

• 2 2x4 by 8'
• 4 8' tree stakes. Dig through the pile to find clean straight ones, no cracks or knots.
• 4 8' pieces of 1 1/4" closet rod. This is the most expensive part.
• 2 1 1/4" pole splices. You will find these with the chain link fence parts.
• 2 50' bags of manilia rope, 3/8 inch is the best.
• About 36 12"x1/2" spikes. You will use a minimum of 18 spikes to put up the tent, more if its windy or rainy.
• 36 1/2" fender washers. These are for the spike. The center hole is 1/2" to fit on the spike.
• A 3 foot length of angle bracket. This is the bracket you use to splice together the center beam. It has evenly space sets of holes all down the length.
• 6 2 1/2" bolts. To bolt together your center beam.
• 6 nuts for your bolts
• 6 washers for your bolts.
• A spool of twine. To tie all your poles together when you are finished.

Tools you will need to make your poles:

• A wood saw. Best is a miter saw.
• A metal saw. A hack saw works fine for this.
• A drill with a 1/4" bit and a 1/2" bit. The auger type 1/2" bits work best, but a paddle bit may do in a pitch.
• A tape measure

Good tools to have with you on site:

• A sharp knife.
• A heavy hammer or small sledge. If you get a sledge get one with a 12" to 14" handle on it, they are easier to wield then the small stumpy hammers.
• A small crescent wrench. Good for putting together those center beams.
• A pair of pliers.

Cutting and drilling your poles
Cut each 2X4 down to 7'.
Cut 2 of the tree stakes down to 7'8". These will be your upright poles.
Cut the remaining 2 tree stakes into 4 45" pieces. These will be the side uprights.

Using the 1/2" bit drill a 6" hole into one end of each upright.

On one end of each 2x4 drill a hole through the 2x4 about 1 inch from the end.
Cut the angle bracket in half so the holes match up. Take the bracket and center it between the 2 sections of your cross beam. Mark 3 holes on each 2x4 and use the 1/4" bit to drill those out. Use the larger holes on the bracket.

Pitching your tent

1. Unfold your tent. Get it right side up and tie together all the doors.
2. Find the 4 bottom corners and stake those down. Check for squareness.
3. Put up the corners.
   • Place 2 ropes, 3 spikes and 1 side upright pole by each corner.
   • Place one spike in the hole on the top of the side upright pole.
   • Put the spike through the corner loop.
   • Place the 2 ropes around the spike in the side upright.
   • Drive the remaining 2 spikes in the ground about 3 feet away from the corner you staked down in step 2. Place these spikes about 90 degrees from each other.
   • Tie the ropes down to the spikes.
   • Repeat for each corner.
4. Assemble the cross beam.
5. Untie the doors.
6. Place the cross beam under the tent, down the center.
7. Place one upright and one spike at each peak.
8. Place the spike through the grommet in the peak, through the hole in the cross beam and in to the hole in the top of the upright pole.
9. Now lift the uprights and the cross beam. Carefully lift both sides together or you may rip your tent or break one of the poles.
10. Assemble your side poles and slide them through the loops on the tent.