The 2008 summer I worked as a lifeguard at a summer camp and have certification for CPR and First Aid. But need a job until next summer for money for such things like gas... I have some experience working in a kitchen from the camp... I applied to the local bloom... But got denied. Any ideas or tips on finding a job in the middle of nowhere...
I too grew up in the middle of nowhere, fewer than 5,000 people, and nobody hired teens anywhere so I got a few gardening tools and worked in neighbors' yards. This helped me up until college, and while I didn't charge enough, it gave me money for gas, candy, soda, movies, dates, etc.
After college, I returned to some of these people and continued gardening and got into some landscaping and drip system stuff for the next 20 years.
My advice if you try this is to get some comfy gloves, some corona clippers with holder, and hope the neighbors have rakes, brooms, and hand saws. This should get you started and it's a quick way to build a reputation and earn money during the hard times. Double up and do windows, and if you can, do some outdoor painting. If you are really talented, which I wasn't but some were, you can do plumbing and indoor painting.