For your summer job, you need to get excited. This is your two month time of freedom from school where you can pursue your greatest interests. You don't have to work for college, however. Colleges will view employment as an additional dimension to your personality. Nevertheless, a job can certainly help you as an individual and college applicant.
Jobs demonstrate a certain level of humility and work ethic, for a high school student. This shows colleges that you are ready to go out and be a part of the work force...a sure sign of maturity. Consider your fields of interest first, as you may be able to land an internship at a company that specializes in your area of interest. For example, if you may be a business major in college, look at becoming an intern for a local marketing or advertising company. These types of internships are not easy to come by, especially when you're in high school. So unless you parents can provide some connections for you (and even then), be sure to act highly professional, be punctual (15 minutes behind schedule is NOT okay) and always stay prepared (keep a resume).
If you can't land this type of internship, it's just as good to take a typical teen job like lifeguarding or being a cashier. Earn some good money and show that there is more to you than books and clubs!
Make sure you keep a positive relationship with your coworkers and boss as this can influence future jobs and, in the near future, college recommendation letters. Submitting a character reference from your boss provides a powerful perspective on you that is not available through teachers and guidance counselors. If you need to quit the job at some point, do not burn any bridges. Follow the proper protocol, notify your boss and be polite. Also be honest! When you get the job, you must be open about when you will be available to work and what your restrictions are. Revealing this later in order to improve your chances of getting the job now will be worse than be honest in the first place.
If you will be in and out of town all summer, it's hard to find a steady job. There's no magic solution to this, so consider something that you can regulate like babysitting or tutoring. If you set your own schedules and times, your clients will have to follow them.
Find a job that will teach you a lot, pay well and that you can enjoy all summer long!
