I weight the benefit of giving that kid a ride (and supporting a commercial endeavor by EAA) versus the risk of something serious happening. If the consequences of something serious happening were just injury or death to me and / or my passenger, then the result is simple, give the kid a ride.
You all may be overlooking what happens to your family. It is my family that will be deprived of me, my income, my estate and the life style they have come to know and appreciate (if there is a serious incident or accident when I'm flying a young eagle). My family will be deprived because the parents of some kid want to sue you because you have an airplane and are (presumably) wealthy. It isn't the attorney, it's only a job to him and like all of us, the attorney wants to do a good job.
Do any of you 'risk takers' really understand the issues and have you discussed these issues with your wives, mistresses, significant others, etc.? When I did, my wife said get the "waiver, release and indemnity" when you carry other people and only then is it OK. (She also said, if you want to risk your own neck, just make sure your insurance is paid up.)
I believe in taking risks, I don't believe in throwing caution to the wind. (And, by the way, my first airplane ride was commercial, I traveled with my grandfather and he paid for it.) The remainder of my rides were on Uncle Sam, my employer or me.
I'm glad for you guys that support young eagles and I hope the conviction of your decision is never tested. I know for those that have had 'bad days' and were not properly covered, things got very difficult.