Pirate Ship Mast

We borrowed a small 3-piece pirate ship that stretched half way across the stage. We set it up and stepped back, added some barrels, and decided it needed a mast. We were very restricted on time but I had just been a substitute in a PE class where the girls were playing volleyball. I suggested we use a volleyball pole, cover it in brown butcher paper, drape a rope and hang a flag. Voila! It worked perfectly! We had the base hidden behind the pirate ship where it wouldn't show.