Unemployed This Summer, Employment Insurance??

I am going to be unemployed this summer. It will be the first summer since I was about 11. I babysat until I was legal to start working. However this summer because of the trip and only having two months off before I am back to teaching leaves me with no job.

I doubt anyone would hire me for 4 weeks but I think I still will try in August. The rec-centre where I have worked for the past 5.5 summers is only hiring people who are still in school so that they can get some sort of grant for hiring students. So they won't hire me if I apply back.

I am thinking about applying for EI. I have never done this before but I've heard several supply teachers talk about this. However, I am going on a trip and I'm not sure if I will even get anything back because I will not be able to look for work at that time. I was also considering taking a course this summer and I don't know if I will qualify if I register for the course.

I don't even know HOW to apply if I decide to. Do you think it's worth trying to apply? Do you have any knowledge about EI conditions (i.e. taking a vacation)? Have you ever applied for it before?