Youth

2026 Youth Citizenship Award Winner

The Youth Citizenship Award seeks to recognize a youth member of the community who models our vision by cultivating integrity, fostering responsibility, promoting inclusivity, and building confidence within themselves and others. This year's winner is again an amazing example of someone who possesses all of those attributes. Please give a big round of applause for this year's winner, Charlie Gutman!

Youth Award winner 2026

Like many, Charlie has been coming to Crystal Lake and has been a part of the CSA family for his entire life. This year marks his third year working at the front desk at the Assembly office, where he graciously helps us all on a regular basis. After his day shift in the office, he continues to make an impact as a youth leader, ensuring that the next generation of youth learn the CSA way, as they participate in youth activities and cultivate the relationships that make this place so unique. Charlie often talks about his love for the Assembly, and the deep connections to the members and community as his favorite part about the job.

Charlie graduated from Dawson School in Colorado this past spring, and next week, he is headed off to George Washington University in Washington DC to study Public Health.

When not working at the Assembly, Charlie enjoys spending time with his friends and family while golfing or hanging at the beach.

We are truly blessed to have Charlie as part of our community. Charlie, you are dependable, patient, warm and caring. You represent the CSA in such an amazing way. We appreciate all that you do to make our community what it is. We wish you the best in this next chapter in DC and can’t wait to see where you go in life, as long as it brings you back to the CSA in the years ahead.

Please help us congratulate this year's winner again, Charlie Gutman.

View article: 2026 Youth Citizenship Award Winner

CSA Youth Programs

The CSA Youth Program Vision

Provide experiences for our youth that will cultivate integrity, foster responsibility, promote inclusivity, and build confidence in their identity within the CSA and greater community. By doing so we will build a foundation that will prepare our youth for life, for relationships, and instill the value of service. Heather Lotzar is our Youth Manager and oversees the programs.

The CSA Youth Programs organize regular social, educational, and sports-oriented activities.

This is a welcoming, fun, and enthusiastic environment for youth to connect with one another. We have programs for two age groups: Middle School and High School. Typical activities include – game night, bonfires and s'mores, volleyball, rafting down the Platte River and much more. The activities are planned a week in advance and posted each Sunday by 4 pm on the following Youth Boards:

Click to Open: High School Youth Board / Click to Open: Middle School Youth Board