D Boone
First off congrats on taking a youth!
I have started many youth. Most had parents who do not hunt. I have hunted and fished for a long time. So my kids only needed the gun training. No Bambi stories to worry about. Most of the other kids were 12 and older. So they were beyond the stage of why did you shoot that. My kids were helping dress deer, and even helped track a couple times(i knew where they were, but let them find them)
I started most of the neighbor kids shooting .22. And explained as we went along. Like the gun points down range, until checked. When their folks would buy them the shotguns, we would go to their house and shoot. This way the folks could see what was going on. Some parents just didn't care. they would buy a gun and drop them off here
First few times out, the child would set with me. After I was convinced they would not set and play with the gun, and were mature enough to deal with it. Then I would move them a little further out away from me, but still in eyesight. Plus after a couple years, they would get to chose their stand and pack a radio.
Knock on wood they all became proficient hunters. Some still hunt, some don't. Just the same it was an experience i truly enjoyed, with each one.
Lonny