How to Set Up a Military Pup Tent

commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ScoutTents.jpg; commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dining_fly_(tent).png

Old military pup tents made out of canvas are a cheap way to get a basic piece of camping equipment, and can be found both online and in Army-Navy surplus stores across the country. Pitching this tent used to be a basic skill taught to recruits in armies around the world, and while the first time might be a little awkward, after that setting it up will be easy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Surplus canvas pup tent kit (support poles, stakes and line)
Hammer or camping hatchet
Helper or big rock

Step 1

Choose a good camp site. There should be enough dirt for driving your tent stakes (no rocky ground), it should be reasonably level, and in a well-drained area.

Step 2

Unfold the pup tent on the ground, making sure that none of the tent fabric or lines are tangled up.

Step 3

A pup tent schematic.

Use a hammer or the hammer end of a camping hatchet to drive the first support pole into the ground, at either the front or rear of the tent.

Step 4

Draw the line over the top of the first pole so that it is taut, and then thread a stake through the loop on the end and drive that into the ground with your hammer/camping hatchet. To get a taut line, you will need either a second pair of hands or a weight like a heavy rock to secure the line.

Step 5

Repeat the process from Steps 3 and 4 with the other pole, placed at the other end of the tent.

Step 6

Go around the tent, pull each corner taut, thread a stake through the loop there, and drive it into the ground with the hammer/camping hatchet. Do this for each corner.

Article Written By Edwin Thomas

Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.

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