The Portage Quarry has been a summertime attraction for University students to get jobs and for people to spend leisure time on the beach and enjoy activities such as scuba diving and camping.

The quarry opened for the season over Memorial Day weekend and Manager Monica Lynn, owner Jeff Rice and other staff members are working to make it a popular destination for families and people of all ages.

Job-seeking students can apply for lifeguard, gatekeeping and grounds positions at the quarry.

“All of our kids are from the University and we use them for everything here,” Rice said.

Lynn said most employees have heard about the job through word of mouth.

“All of the people here are certified lifeguards and get certified from the University or the Red Cross,” Rice said. “If you work for us, we want you to be a lifeguard.”

Junior Nathaniel Martin has worked as a lifeguard and gatekeeper at the Quarry for four years. Martin was certified as a lifeguard at the age of 16 and heard about the job through a student in his class who also worked there.

“I like being outside,” Martin said. “I like the people I work with too.”

“Anyone can apply at anytime online,” Lynn said. “We have a great, fantastic, responsible staff.”

One attraction at the quarry for is scuba diving. The quarry was originally used for scuba diving, but was then expanded with more amenities such as a volleyball court, Lynn said.

An entire package for scuba lessons costs $450 and includes all rental gear, air fills for tanks and instructional time, according to Lynn.

Trainees can schedule private one-on-one time with instructors or be trained in a group. Group training usually consists of two to four people at a time. However, many people tend to train individually with an instructor.

Lynn said people of all ages have tried scuba lessons, but children below the age of 12 are not always encouraged to participate.

“Our main concern is safety,” Lynn said. “We deal with very experienced instructors.”

Lynn said instructors will not even pass people if they don’t think they are ready and some instructors have been diving for over 50 years.

Divers can encounter a fake cemetery and an underwater grain silo, school bus, jet plane and semi during their lessons, Lynn said.

Camping is another amenity that attracts people of all ages, mostly college students and families.

“We get a really good mixture for the camping,” Lynn said.

Campers have to bring their own camping gear and have to call to make reservations if they want to use electric water hookup sites within the camping area. The rest of the area is open for people to put down their own tents.

One night of camping costs $18 per person and $30 per person for two nights.

The Quarry will be open for the rest of the summer between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on any day until September 14 and general admission is $6 per person for all ages.

“Everyone here is having a good time,” Martin said.