How to Make a Makeshift Tent

Have you ever wished you knew how to throw up a quick shelter if you find yourself outside overnight? Or maybe you plan to do some hiking but don't want to lug a full tent around. Whether you have one of those reasons or another, this Instructable will help. This Instructable will teach you how to make a makeshift tent. (Most pictures were taken indoors, but instructions are included for setting a tent up both indoors and outdoors)

Step 1: Gather Materials

1) poncho

2) 550 cord

3) If inside, desk and chairs. If outside, a tree or multiple trees grouped together, stakes, or sticks.

Step 2: Lay Out Poncho Between Anchor Points

Lay poncho out in a rectangle with a chair positioned at each corner. If you are outside, try to find two trees close together to lay the poncho in between.

Step 3: Tie the First Two Corners to the Anchor Points

Run a line of 550 cord through one of the peg eyelets on a corner, through the top of the chair and secure it with a knot. If you are outside use the cord around the tree instead of the chair (make sure you secure the knot higher up).

Run another line of 550 cord through the peg eyelet that would be adjacent but further away on the rectangle, through the top of that chair as well and secure it with a knot. If you are outside use the cord around the other tree also higher up when securing the knot.

Just use a basic knot when you tie the knots for this on each corner. You can use ANY knot. There is not a specific knot that you need to use! The pictures are meant as an example to tie a knot if you do not know how to tie any kind of knot. An easy way to tie a knot for this is to do the first step when you tie your shoes. Go over and under one way and then do it again but the opposite and pull it tight. If you go left over right the first time go right over left the second time.

Step 4: Tie the Lower Corners Down

1. Run a line of 550 cord through one of the other corners, tie it around the base of the chair and secure it with a knot. If you are outside find some good sticks to dig into the ground and secure a knot around that with the corner eyelet.

2. Run a line of 550 cord through the last corner, tie it around the base of the chair and secure it with a knot. If you are outside use another stick that is dug into the ground to secure a knot around.

Use the same type of knot used in the previous step in this step. These two corners of the poncho should be as low to the ground as possible.

Step 5: Pull the Poncho Tight

Pull the chairs apart to ensure the poncho is taut. If you are outside ensure that the poncho is taut as well with the sticks being dug in far enough away to make the poncho taut. The poncho should form an angle as shown in the pictures.

Step 6: Tie the Head of the Poncho Shut

Take the head of the poncho, fold it over itself, run a piece of 550 around it to keep it closed and secure it with a knot. Once again, the same basic knot used in previous steps will be fine.

Step 7: Enjoy!

Lay down underneath to enjoy your make shift tent!