DIY Tepee

Tepees have ventilation for indoor fires.

Whether you are inspired by the Native American tribal tradition or simply want to have an interesting camping experience, make your own tepee with supplies from your local home improvement or hardware store. Tepees are portable structures that provide shelter from the elements along with ventilation that allows you to build indoor fires. They are spacious enough for a group of people. Grab a friend and assemble your tepee in a short time.

Things You'll Need

• Canvas, 10 by 20 feet
• Scissors
• 12 smooth poles, 13 feet
• Rope
• Needle
• Thread

Instructions

1. Use scissors to cut the piece of canvas into a semicircle. Make two smoke vents near the top of the semicircle by cutting two V-shaped slits in the canvas.

2. Cut a portion of each of the 10-foot ends of the canvas in a semicircle shape to form a door when the ends are brought together.

3. Pinch a three-cornered piece of canvas at the tip of one smoke vent. Sew it together by hand to create a pocket for the vent pole. Repeat this for the other smoke vent.

4. Sew a rope on the bottom hem of the canvas piece. Create loops that are equally spaced to hold each tent pole.

5. Form a tripod with three of the poles. Tie the poles together with rope near the top section where they intersect. Lay seven more poles on the tripod frame, forming a cone shape. Tie all of the poles together where they intersect to hold them in place.

6. Wrap the canvas around the cone-shaped frame. Put each pole into a loop sewn at the base of the canvas. Use rope to tie the canvas to the frame toward the top of the tepee. Pull the poles out to stretch the canvas.

7. Use the remaining two poles to prop open the smoke vents inside the tepee for ventilation.

References

• Inquiry: Teepee Plans 10 Feet
• How to Make a Teepee: How to Make a Teepee