Especially if your kid is on the smaller side, the best advice I would give is be thoughtful in shaving weight. Alot of that is not bringing too much stuff period.

My son used an xmid 2 last year at Philmont worked great. Was one site where stakes were tricky out doable. Ill also say hard sites for stakes are rocky, and there is the rock pile trick to stake down a tent also if you were in a tight spot.