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

Thursday, January 15, 2026 - rally 5:45 p.m., meeting 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Pkwy, St. Paul
Saturday, January 31, 2026 - 10:00am to 12:00pm
Rosemount Wildlife Preserve and North 20 Brewing, Rosemount
This school year
In your classroom or outside

Our River Campaign:
It all starts here

At the heart of this new campaign is the vision of a healthy Mississippi River.