Inspiring the next generation of retail professionals
(Colorado Springs, Colorado – August 13, 2024) S-5!, the leading authority on metal roofing fastening solutions, is pleased to have sponsored the recent Let’s Build Construction Camp (LBCC INC) for Girls in Canfield, Ohio. This five-day summer camp is designed for girls ages 12-17 to explore the world of construction and learn about different career paths within the skilled trades.
The LBCC works with unions and industry associations and is powered by the generosity of volunteers, mentors and sponsors who offer the camp free of charge. As the main sponsor, S-5! proudly contributed to essential operating costs which included insurance, transportation, building materials, tool bags, signage and food and beverages. In addition, S-5! donated its PVKIT direct mount, no rail solar mounting system for the rooftop solar installation workshop.
Shelly Higgins, S-5!’s Architectural & National Accounts Director, is the founder and director of the program. She explains, “Our mission is to encourage young women to consider a career in architecture, engineering, manufacturing or construction through education, hands-on experience, interactive discussions, mentoring and field trips.”
Kayla Kushner, a high school freshman from Springfield, Ohio, worked on scaffolding, electrical wiring, caulking, roofing, welding and installing solar panels. “My favorite part was learning all about construction, meeting other people and working on projects as a team,” Kushner said. “What surprised me most was how easy scaffolding was – once you measured and cut everything, it was easy to put it all together. It gave me skills for later in life. I’m thinking about how I can continue to learn construction skills through my high school’s program.”
Seventh-grader Olivia Vonderau of Youngstown, Ohio, discovered the camp through her math teacher. Olivia loves DIY projects. She said, “I really enjoyed nailing the roof shingles. It was like a puzzle: take measurements, arrange them in the right order and nail them down.”
Lillian (Lew) Clowser, an eighth-grader from Boardman, Ohio, appreciated the hands-on learning opportunities. “Building requires a lot of physical labor, but at the end of the day you have a finished product, so it’s worth it,” Clowser said. “The volunteers are knowledgeable and it’s easy to ask for help.”
This sponsorship is part of S-5!’s ongoing commitment to giving back, with a focus on making a positive impact on the industry by leveraging expertise, financial support and quality products for educational initiatives. Last year, S-5! sponsored the students of the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design in their annual design-build project.
“We are excited to support this camp, especially since it is led by one of our employees, so we can provide young women with valuable educational experiences and encourage them to consider the trades as a viable and rewarding career path,” said Rob Haddock, CEO and Founder of S-5!
As LBCC completes its third summer, planning for 2025 is underway, and Higgins invites other industry professionals to join through volunteering or sponsorship. LBCC INC is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.letsbuild.camp.
About S-5!
Founded by a seasoned metal roofing expert, S-5! has been the leading authority on metal roof fastening solutions since 1992. S-5!’s non-penetrating clamps and lifetime brackets will fasten virtually anything to most metal roof types while maintaining roof integrity and warranties. Made in the USA, S-5! solutions are designed for a wide variety of roof mounting applications and are now installed on more than 2.5 million metal roofs worldwide, providing unprecedented strength and durability. For more information, visit www.S-5.com.
