tarp over the tent

Kylie and Tony
We use the ridge-pole method with taller pole down the middle and shorter ones out on the edge.
A pretty normal method, I guess, but in a down pour I sometimes angle the side poles inwards at the bottom to make the outside edge of the tarp much lower.
It helps the run-off get away and keeps a bit of the wind on top of the tarp instead of getting under it.
Cheers
OskarMrs Oskar on Big Red

K & T If there are two convieniantly placed trees, tie a rope between them and throw the tarp over the rope and put poles in the corners. You can also buy gadgets that allow you to fit a rope anywhere on the tarp. Available at most camping centres.Nil Taurus Excretus

Gooday
I have an old peice of tent pole (bottom half which I drive into the ground roughly centre of the tarp then turn an extendable pole upside downand push the middle of the tarp up with it. Oh yeh tie the extendable pole to the one driven into the ground with a bit of gaffa tape or the like..

cheers David.

Similar to captnsnooze, only on the end of the upsidedown pole in the centre of the tarp, I cut a hole in a tennis ball big enough to put the end of the pole into so it doesn't go through the tarp. Works a treat :-)

have a look at your campng shop for 'mushrooms' they are great and spread the load on the tarp really well.

I tie a rope from an eyelet to the ground providing a planned runoff, cheap and easyLaterally Literal
Seriously Cerebral

Use the pole in the middle, but fit a plastic coke bottle over the top to protect the tarp.