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

August 13 through October 31, 2026
Throughout St. Paul
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 - 8:00pm to 9:30pm
TPT, Twin Cities PBS
Thursday, September 10, 2026 - 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Near the Mississippi River backwaters, St. Paul Park

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.