Glenn Middleton, Director of Programming, embodies Muddy Sneakers’ mission through his extensive and inspiring journey in environmental education. His personal and professional backgrounds align seamlessly with our mission to ignite the spark of curiosity and environmental stewardship in young minds through experiential outdoor education.
From Farm Fields to Wilderness Trails
Glenn’s passion for the outdoors began in the wide-open spaces of a farm in Northern Minnesota. Surrounded by nature from a young age, he developed a deep connection with the land. This early immersion in the natural world set the stage for his lifelong dedication to environmental education.
Youth Leadership at the YMCA
As a young adult, Glenn Middleton discovered his love for working with youth while leading wilderness trips at a YMCA camp in northern Wisconsin. Here, he realized the profound impact that nature-based experiences could have on young people, shaping their character and broadening their horizons.
Peace Corps: A Global Perspective
Glenn’s environmental education career was catalyzed during his Peace Corps service in the Philippines. There, he worked as a Coastal Resource Management Specialist. He created a national youth environmental education program focused on marine protection and coastal issues. This work enabled him to combine environmental and experiential education techniques. Not only did this initiative educate young minds, but it also laid the foundation for his later work and publications.
Author and Grant Writer
Back in the United States, Glenn channeled his experiences into writing a book that merges environmental and experiential education methods. While penning this influential work, he also wrote a grant to support local and indigenous youth community environmental education projects in Wisconsin, further demonstrating his commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of the natural world among young people.
Outward Bound and Beyond
Glenn’s passion for experiential education led him to Outward Bound, where he designed inclusive leadership courses for youth and young adults in diverse locations. Specifically, these locations include the Boundary Waters, Everglades, Outer Banks, Argentina, Chile, the Bahamas, Baltimore urban center, and Western North Carolina. These courses empowered young leaders and instilled in them a respect for adventure and nature.
Academia and Higher Education
For over a decade, Glenn brought his field-based experiential education techniques into the classroom. He instructed at Warren-Wilson College, Montreat College, Brevard College, Southwestern Community College, and Clemson University. He also earned a Master’s degree in Experiential Education from Minnesota State, further deepening his expertise in the field.
Leadership in Nonprofit Management
Glenn’s nonprofit management experience includes coordinator roles at local organizations such as Pisgah Area SORBA. He is also the founder and executive director of The Friends of Pisgah View State Park. These roles have honed his ability to lead and inspire others in the pursuit of environmental conservation.
A Life Rooted in Adventure
For the past 20 years, Glenn, his partner, and their two dogs have called Western North Carolina home. They relish the region’s natural beauty through camping trips in their van, climbing, mountaineering, trail running, backpacking, paddling, and mountain biking. In addition to local outdoor adventures, Glenn, his partner, and their dogs enjoy exploring nature’s wonders throughout the Southeastern and Western United States and internationally.
Leading Muddy Sneakers
As Director of Programming, Glenn Middleton brings his wealth of experience and unwavering passion for the outdoors to Muddy Sneakers. His journey from the farmlands of Minnesota to the mountains of North Carolina and his diverse experiences in environmental education make him an invaluable leader in our mission to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Under his guidance, we continue to explore nature’s endless possibilities, fostering a lifelong connection between our students and the great outdoors.
