Tries a different pole in camp shelters (5)
I believe the answer is:
tests
'tries' is the definition.
(I know this)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tests that I've seen before include "Trials for cricketers" , "Critically examines" , "Tries out" , "Trials to see if something works" , "Trials -- tribulations" .)