Chad Dayton

Chad Dayton is a passionate and seasoned outdoor educator. Having taught college English and writing for nearly a decade, Chad transitioned to outdoor education in 2009.

Chad has worked as a field instructor for NOLS, an instructor for the Wilderness Medicine Institute (NOLS), and Wilderness Inquiry — a Minneapolis-based international non-profit where he developed the national youth engagement program known as the Canoemobile. Chad also teaches courses on outdoor programming and environmental and place-based education for the University of Minnesota. 

Education: BA, Skidmore College; MA, University of New Hampshire; MFA, University of Minnesota

Member of the board since: 2013

Board committee: Planning

Relevant affiliations: board member for the Dodge Nature Center, Minnesota Children's Museum, Minnesota Zoo Foundation, and Northland College.

Hobbies: Unless he's hiking in the Rocky Mountains or Costa Rica, Chad can usually be found paddling a canoe on Minnesota rivers—preferably with one of his lovely daughters!

Upcoming Events

Saturday, August 8, 2026 - 11:00am to 1:00pm
Cherokee Regional Park, West Side, St. Paul
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
River Oaks Park, Cottage Grove
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Cargill Building, University of Minnesota Saint Paul campus