scopes

I know everyone has their opinions but just look through as many as you can. If they have a stock to mount them on even better. Some lower end scopes to me, make it terribly hard finding it's sweet spot.
A tip I got from a guy who who is really knowledgeable on all types of glass is to look in the objective end(the big end) look at your reflection in it. If it is like looking in a mirror stay away. This means it will lose tons of light and clarity due to the objects reflecting off the lens. If you look at german lenses you'll notice it looks like a black hole. Second you may know already is just see how closed your fingers can get on the objective end while keeping enough vision to make a shot. This will simulate dusk and dawn.
You may want to keep it simple and stay away from the bigger adjustable objectives. Somewhere in the 2.5x10x50 would be about perfect. If you can afford go ahead and get a 30mm tube instead of the 1 inch. BTW I am also a fan of Nikon and Burris if outfitting a young hunter. Good luck on picking one out.