A tarp has some great benefits that a tent doesn’t:
Openness
Unlike a tent that is completely closed up from all sides, a tarp allows you to feel like you are one with nature. A tarp doesn’t block you off from the wilds that you came to experience. After-all, isn’t the whole point of camping to experience nature?
Light Weight
A tent usually comes in a large back that you have to carry separately. A tarp on the other hand is super light weight and can fit easily into your main backpack, freeing your hands up for more comfort.
Quick Assembly
When bad weather strikes, a tarp is the quickest thing to put up. A tent has so any components that by the time you are finished, you are soaked. Within a matter of minutes you could be under your tarp shelter, safe from the wet.
Versatile
The beauty of a tarp is that you can configure it in any shape that you need. This means no matter where you are, you can set up a shelter for yourself. A tent on the other hand is limited to a flat surface and enough ground to peg your spikes.
Shop Poly Tarps: http://www.a1tarps.com/polytarps.html