Climbing Stand for a Youth Hunter

So my 12 year old has his mind set on getting a climbing stand for Christmas and I'm inclined to let him do it, but wanted to make sure I'm not crazy or missing out on some important safety point that would make it totally unreasonable for a kid to use a climber. I've never been much of a tree stand guy myself - used a ladder stand for a few seasons years ago, and have used an old, old climber a few times years ago. 

We've hunted a friend's property for a few years who has a couple of 2 man ladder stands set up that we've sat in together while he was on the mentored tag. I absolutely HATE climbing anything (step ladder to change a light bulb, climbing on an extension ladder, etc - although I'm OK once I get up where I'm going. It's just the climbing part I hate), but I've done it for him. Now that he's 12, I sent him up a few times during gun season on his own while I sat at the base of a nearby tree where we could still be in verbal communication according to the law. 

One thing I don't like about the ladder stands is that there's really not a good way that I can think of to effectively use a harness on the way up and the way down, given the distance to the tree from the ladder and the supports. 

So when it comes to the climber, I'm inclined to get it for him because:
1. He's got a great harness system with all the appropriate stuff to stay tethered on the way up and down. I'd also invest in one of those Spider systems for him. From that regard, it seems safer than climbing a 15' ladder stand with no real means to stay tethered on the climb.

2. He's incredibly athletic and very strong. Absolutely no concerns about his ability to physically use one with me supervising. I've used them a few times many years ago and am familiar with them. Of course we'd spend plenty of time learning to use it properly. 

3. Now that he's 12, he's very well schooled on loading his own rifle during deer season and knows how to put a bolt safely in the crossbow. No concerns with his ability to that, once he's up and safely situated. Knows how to use the rope to pull the weapon up and lower it down and knows never to raise or lower a weapon that's loaded, or to climb with one. 

4. I'd be very close by at all times, either in the pop up blind or sitting at the base of a tree. 

5. I'd let him get up about 12-15' max till he showed me he can do this consistently safely for a few years. 

6. We hunt several different properties and many different spots on those properties and don't have the $ to invest in a bunch of hang on stands right now. The ladder stands on the one property we hunt are nice, but it would be nice to hunt some other parts of that property as well. 

So, for you guys that know climbers well and use 'em a lot, am I nuts? Missing out on something important that would make this an absolute no-go for him? Or is it something that could work well for him?

Don't use a climber, so I can be of no help there. But with regard to hooking a harness when using a ladder stand, they sell ropes that have a sliding knot (prussic, I believe) which attaches to the tree at the top and the ladder at the bottom. Clip onto the knot and slide it up as you go. If you were to fall, that type of knot grips right where it is at.

Dave,
+1 for what Dardys said for the Lifelines.  Cheap protection for the fixed position stands.
http://www.amazon.com/Hunter-Safety-System-Life-Line/dp/B001E35VU6 
 
I have a spare hang on stand if you want it for him; you would just have to get some climbing sticks or be somewhere you were allowed to use screw in steps.   Still need a lifeline for it though. 
Comfy side by side ladder would still be my recommendation.  I am in the market for one too for the same reason.
 
But for a climber, aluminum summit viper or similar sit and climb model would be the best.  I have a summit bushmaster and want/need the open front for archery/vertical bow but if you are cross bowing, the rail would be a benefit.  I can have mine off my back and on the tree, in the dark, in less then 2 minutes but i have been using it for over ten years.  Once you learn them and practice with them, they are safe, easy and fast.
 

No matter what brand or model, Common Sense is the very first safety rule, than comes read the instructions that come with the unit. This I know as a fact, second or third time I used my Summit I forgot to check the rope that connects the two pieces together. Long story short its NO fun getting out of the Top half, hanging on for dear life while trying to get to the ground. First thing to teach your son is No Short Cuts and Never Assume! Good hunting and good luck to you and your son!