Thats a tough question to answer. As for my 11 year old daughter Im sure she would do well on her own away from me on a stand,but I wouldn't do well at all knowing she was by herself. I think I'll wait until shes about 15 or so for her first solo in National Forest. Now if we were hunting private land I would be far more at ease letting her go at it alone. I guess it depends heavily on the circumstances and the parent's feelings alone.