Directions for a Picnic Table Tarp

Center the picnic table in the middle of four trees, so each side of the table is facing one of the trees. Space the table between the trees so the distance from the trees to the table is approximately the same on all sides. Lean the ladder against one of the two trees facing the short ends of the picnic table. Climb the ladder with one end of the 100-foot rope, and tie it around the tree 10 feet above the ground. Measure this height from the ground up with a tape measure.

Move the ladder to the tree on the other short side of the picnic table. Stretch the rope across the length of the table to this tree, and climb the ladder. Tie the rope to this tree 10 feet off the ground. Cut off the excess rope with a pair of scissors. Unfold the tarp, and throw it over the rope span between the two trees. Twist the tarp until two of its corners are in line with the rope, and the other two corners hang evenly in the middle of the long side of the table.

Measure the distance from the long sides of the table to the trees facing them. Cut two pieces of rope to these lengths. Thread a piece of rope through each grommet in each corner, on each side of the tarp hanging on the table. Bring the rope back to itself, and tie a knot in each one. Hand one of these ropes to an assistant, and ask him to walk toward the tree facing his side of the table, while you walk toward the tree on your side. Move the ladder to the tree facing your side of the table.

Climb the ladder, and tie your rope around the tree 8 feet above the ground. Move the ladder to the tree on your assistant's side of the table, and tie the rope 8 feet above the ground. Move the ladder back to the tree where you first started. Climb up and insert a piece of rope through the grommet in the corner, and tie a not in it. Stretch this length of rope to the loop of rope going around the tree, and tie it off. Go to the second tree where the support rope was tied, and repeat this. Pull this side tight to remove any remaining wrinkles in the tarp.