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

Sunday, September 13, 2026 - 12:00pm to 4:00pm
34th to 36th Streets & West River Parkway Minneapolis
Now through October 31, 2026
Throughout St. Paul
Thursday, September 24, 2026 - 5:00pm
Nicollet Island Pavilion, Minneapolis

Take Me to the River 

Celebrate the Mississippi River and choose your own adventure while supporting FMR at our reimagined fall fundraiser on Thursday, Sept. 24.