Peer Leaders, also called Swampers, help motivate and encourage their crews. They must have demonstrated a high level of commitment to NYC, a mastery of technical skills, and exhibit a high level of leadership competency.  Peer Leaders are required to have successfully completed the Backcountry Leadership Program or a previous session as a Swamper.  Peer Leaders must have a positive attitude and good humor that will help boost morale and help keep a crew on track.

Peer Leaders are not afraid of challenging work. They are role models for their crew, and set a positive tone by promoting a responsible and respectful standard of conduct. They must be experienced campers and hard workers who are always willing to lend a hand or put forth a bit of extra effort. Most of all, a Peer Leader must have the desire to learn and practice good leadership skills. Peer Leaders must help their crew stay focused, build a nice piece of trail, put in a tight fence post, or construct a strong retaining wall, in addition to the extra assistance they provide back at camp.  This may include helping a new corpsmember learn how to sharpen tools, getting kitchen tarps set up, or showing others how to put up the white wall tents.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Peer Leaders are expected to accept additional responsibility for lending a hand during the work day, in camp, and on weekends. Below is a list of Peer Leader responsibilities.

Daily:

• Conduct tool inventories at all breaks and at the end of the day
• Inspect tools to ensure they are in safe working condition
• Tool Lock out/Tag out
• Assist program training of new corpsmembers

Weekly:

• Assist the Woodsboss with resupply
• Oversee NYC's Recycling program by ensuring that all recycling is properly cleaned and sorted.
• Perform tool inventories each week; account for the previous weeks specialty tools and receive any new tools or gear required for the upcoming week.
• Consult with program staff regarding crew productivity, motivation, and cohesion.