Canadian Veteran-Owned Outdoorsman Outfitter & Survival Training
Shop quality camping & tactical gear online or in-store — Wiarton & Petawawa, Ontario.
Get Wilderness-Ready —
Ottawa Valley & Bruce Peninsula Courses
Great Ape Empire courses are hands-on survival training designed to build real confidence in the outdoors. You’ll learn essential skills like fire-making, shelter building, clean water procurement, navigation, and safe food practices — then put those skills to the test in real wilderness environments.
Our veteran-led instructors keep training serious, safe, and engaging. The result is practical knowledge you can rely on, greater self-confidence outdoors, and the ability to handle real-world situations with calm and capability. You’ll leave more prepared, more capable, and ready for your next adventure.
Little Apes Bushcraft
Free Youth Mini Classes — Walk-In Welcome (No Sign-Up)
Little Apes Bushcraft is a free, kid-led mini class where youth build confidence, character, and real outdoor skills in a friendly, beginner-safe environment.
Each session is hands-on and fun, built around the core bushcraft values: respect, responsibility, teamwork, preparedness, and self-reliance. Kids learn by doing — building, tying, problem-solving, and exploring — with experienced instructors guiding them every step of the way.
Held on selected Saturdays.
Walk in anytime — no sign-up needed.
For upcoming dates and updates, follow our social media.
What kids will do (varies by session):
Mini shelter-building challenges
Knot tying & cordage basics
Outdoor awareness & problem-solving games
Fire safety + beginner fire-starting concepts
Team tasks that build confidence and leadership
Just show up, meet the crew, and let your little ape build real-world confidence outdoors.
WE’RE A 100% VETERAN OWNED ...
Outdoorsman
Outfitter Outpost
We’re located in Wiarton, Ontario and specialize in selling, renting, and reviewing hiking, camping, survivalist and adventuring gear.
Meet The Team
The 9 Veteran owners and founders of Great Ape Empire all met while serving in the Canadian Forces. Every single member of our team was deployed to Afghanistan with various units.
