Spread a tarp or ground cover out on the spot you choose for tent setup. Spread the tent out over the tarp with the floor down. Roll the tarp to tuck any excess in under the floor of the tent if the tarp is larger than the tent floor.
Push the two tent poles together by slipping the small ends of the segments into the larger open ends in consecutive order from one end of the pole to the other, or attempt the whip assembly technique. Grab one end of the tent pole and throw it outward in a slow whipping or casting motion. The segments will often line up and slip together along the shock cord when whipped.
Push the poles through the sleeves over the dome top one at a time. Leave the sleeves as straight as possible while threading the poles through to avoid snagging on seams. Push the pole through with a steady motion. Avoid pulling the poles, which typically pulls the segments apart.
Push the end of one pole into the pocket at the corner of the tent floor, or slide the pole pin from the corner into the reinforced steel sleeve at the end of the pole, if you have that style of tent. Ask a helper to connect the opposite end of the pole at the opposing corner.
Push steel tent stakes through the securing rings at the tent corners and hammer the stakes into the ground. Avoid piercing the tent floor or ground cover with a stake. Wrap the frame clips around the tent poles and clip them on securely, if your dome tent assembly includes such clips.
Push the smaller segmented pole together and slip it through the sleeve of the rain fly. Place the rain fly over the dome roof with the awning centered over the tent door. Attach the ends of the rain fly pole to the pockets or grommets provided along the tent pole. Connect the other rain fly attachments, such as clips or hook and loop fastening wraps, onto the tent poles. Pull down the guy lines, stretch them out away from the tent floor and secure them by hammering stakes through the loops and into the ground.
