A glimpse into the industry of the American Dream

By Jenny Yu.  

Industry experts share their experience leading an annual roofing career summer camp that introduces high school students to the endless possibilities of the roofing industry. 

This past summer, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and the Virginia Association of Roofing Professionals (VARP) teamed up with the Henrico County Public Schools Career & Technical Education (CTE) Workforce & Career Development to hold their first annual VARP Roofing Career Camp. 

The three-week camp introduced seven rising 9th-12th-grade students to the world of roofing. Scott Shufflebarger and Sherri Miles, two industry leaders who helped put the camp together, spoke to The Coffee Shops™ about the experience.  

Scott is the president of Hertless Brothers Roofing, Inc., a 90-year-old contracting company that serves the Greater Richmond area, and he has served as past president and chair of various NRCA and VARP committees. Despite his many commitments, Scott showed up to the camp every single day to help train and guide the students. 

“My goal in the program was to introduce them to the breadth of the roofing industry,” Scott stated. “Most people conceptualize the roofing industry as just banging shingles. We came into the summer camp with the intent to both expose the students to the breadth of careers and their opportunities, knowing that the sky is the limit.” 

Sherri is a fourth-generation roofing contractor, president of Miles Roofing, Inc., former president of VARP, past board member and current executive board member of NRCA and vice president of Roofing Alliance. Her passion for education and advocating for the roofing industry helped fuel the camp’s success.  

“Roofing is not something that you do because you can't do anything else,” Sherri said. “Roofing is a noble profession, so every time we can elevate it — whether it's through education, certifications, the way we talk about ourselves — we're going to. It makes a real impact in people's lives.” 

On top of exposure to the wealth of opportunity in the industry, the camp also prioritized hands-on learning experiences with the technology and tools associated with the trades. These exercises were based on the SkillsUSA model, where students did everything from installing insulation and adhering membranes to flashing walls and building seams. 

One stand-out experience in the program was safety day, when camp attendees were exposed to all the facets of fall protection. After learning about the different types of harness styles, students strapped into real harnesses and were suspended from a “fall truck.” 

“It was a full-on, hands-on engagement that most professionals in our industry actually don't get to go through,” Scott shared. “Probably 1 in 10 have the experience of being suspended from either a tripod or from a fall truck. They basically built a mini roof. They got to do it all.” 

To reward the completion of the three-week crash course, students received Kask hard hats. The entire experience gave budding professionals access to industry leaders, incomparable experience and a wealth of knowledge to take forward into their future. 

“We wanted to show them not only the diversity of the roles, but the diversity of the people that are in this industry. We are a perfect mirror of what society is and what success in society is,” Scott stated. “We're a perfect mirror of the American Dream.” 

For more information about how to start a roofing camp in your area, contact VARP.