Emergency Tarp Shelter Build

In groups of 5, students build an emergency shelter from a tarp, a rope strung between two posts, and stakes, shaped either as an A-frame or a lean-to. They practice teamwork, applying knots, and problem-solving outdoors.

How to play

1. Show two designs (3 min): the A-frame, with the tarp over a center ridgeline, and the lean-to, with one side tied to the rope and the other staked down.
2. Form 5 groups of 5 with a 10 x 10-foot tarp, a 30-foot rope, 6 stakes, and two posts; each group picks a design and splits jobs (2 min).
3. Build (10 min): string the ridgeline about 3 feet high with a bowline and a clove hitch, place the tarp, and secure the corners.
4. Tests (5 min): all 5 must fit seated, the tarp must not touch their heads, and it must hold when a corner is shaken; each test passed earns a point, with one minute allowed to adjust.
5. Take down and wrap-up (5 min): fold the tarps, and each group explains which design would protect better from rain and wind.

Rules

• Stakes are pushed in with the foot, never thrown, and counted when packing up.
• No one hangs from the rope or the tarp.
• Safety: no running between shelters so no one trips on ropes or stakes.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: tie the ridgeline on the post at their height and coordinate jobs.
• Visual impairments: a partner guides their hands when placing the tarp and stakes.
• Skilled groups build both designs; groups who struggle use a step card.

Learning goals

• Build a simple emergency shelter as a team.
• Apply basic knots in a practical situation.
• Solve setup problems by cooperating with the group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• tarps: 5
• ropes: 5
• tent stakes: 30
• trees or posts: 10

Teacher tip

Connect the activity to outdoor safety: a simple shelter can protect you from a storm while help is on the way. Check beforehand that the posts are solid.

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