How to pitch a canvas bow tent - written by Morne Stevens (September 2002) The canvas and construction Select a flat ground surface in a high lying area if possible. Remove any sharp sticks or stones. Place a groundsheet that must be preferably the same dimensions as the tent groundsheet on the camping area. This will protect the tent from moist and dirt. Open the canvas body of the tent and place it flat on the groundsheet. Connect the springsteel frame pieces together to form an X and place it over the tent with the end pieces lying over the tent corners. Make sure that the tent door is open and stays open until the tent is pitched. Hook in the springsteel frame first into the groundsheet corner S-hook and then into the opposite groundsheet corner's S-hook. Continue to do the other two corners. Climb inside the tent door and lift the tent to connect the canvas to the springsteel frame using the top circular row of S-hooks. Tie the canvas tiebacks to the springsteel frame X-piece. The frame can be pulled down should it be to high for the tent to reach it comfortably. Continue to hook the remaining S-hooks onto the frame by starting from the top and working down in a first circular and then spiraling fashion. Do not step on the canvas under any circumstance. With the tent now standing you can secure the tent pegs. First close the tent door and then pull the four corners of the tent outwards. Secure the straight tent peg with a rubber mallet. Triangular tent pegs can be used to secure the guy ropes of external window flaps. Open and close the tent door to ensuring that the canvas is not been pulled to taunt Packing the tent One of the most challenging tasks is to pack the tent back into the same bag that it was supplied with. The tent packaging can be kept to the smallest size by packing it the same way that it was supplied to you. In most cases this means that the tent must be folded in a specific fashion. When breaking up camp removed all the S-hooks and leave the springsteel frame standing. With the tent door open get inside the door and pull the tent towards the door opening. This will flatten out the canvas. Remove the springsteel frame. Fold the groundsheet one third onto itself. From the opposite side fold the groundsheet one third in, thus it will be lying on top of the first folded piece. Fold the tent in blocks of 25cm, starting from the far end. Press each fold down with your knees to ensure smallest packaging. Storing and packaging Do not store the tent on a concrete floor. Placing a piece of cardboard under the tent while in storage will be fine. Do not store or transport the springsteel frame poles in the same bag as the poles as excessive rubbing will damage the canvas. Rather have a bag made for the springsteel frame poles. Treating a new tent All new canvas tents must be treated before first time use to make it waterproof. Pitch the tent and spray it soaking wet with a hosepipe. Allow for the seams to swell and the tent to dry. Give the tent another thorough soaking and allow drying. Apply a liberal coat of canvas waterproofing concentrate to the tent with a brush and allow drying. Reapply the canvas waterproofing concentrate and allow for it to dry before returning the tent to storage. This waterproofing should last a couple of years and can be applied whenever the need arises.