Maximize your Sun City West experience with an academy designed for you!
The next generation of the TORCH Citizens Academy, now known as the Sun City West Citizens Academy, arrives in the fall of 2026 with a new three-tiered system that allows you to learn about your community in a convenient program that better fits your schedule and pace.
Carry your torch and begin your journey by seeing what’s new and registering down below.
One Program.
Three Opportunities.
Redesigned as the Sun City West Citizens Academy, the program has been segmented into a three-tier system that allows you to begin with the Sun City West Essentials course, a quick orientation to life here in the community. Afterwards, the second tier offers a conference format to help you delve further into understanding Sun City West. For those seeking a leadership role at some point, we offer a third tier with more training.
What’s New
TIERED TORCHES
Each of the three levels of the academy cover more and more about life here in Sun City West. Begin with our TORCH 1 Essentials program that covers the basics of living in an active-adult community. We recommend you follow that with TORCH 2, The Conference, which goes into more details, a wider variety of speakers, and allows you to choose the topics that interest you most. Then, for those who envision serving in a leadership role on a committee, in a club or on the Governing Board, we recommend TORCH 3, The Future.
Looking to attend multiple at once? Just make sure to mark that in the registration form below and ensure you meet the prerequisite for each one.
TORCH 1
The Essentials
Prerequisite: Must be an RCSCW member.
Begin your journey with this full-day, lecture-centered program that provides a quick orientation to life in Sun City West.
Topics Covered
- What is RCSCW?
- What your dues cover
- State, federal and local laws
- Activities, events and clubs
- Meeting new people
- Where to go for more info
Max Class Size: 48
Location: Beardsley Recreation Center
Cost: $5, includes lunch
Upcoming sessions: Oct. 12 and 27
TORCH 2
The Conference
Prerequisite: TORCH 1 or previous TORCH Citizens Academy graduate. (You may register for TORCH 2 if you are also registered for TORCH 1).
Continue expanding your knowledge with this one-day conference. New topics will be offered in each conference, so we welcome back return participants.
Example Topics
- Local non-profits
- Chartered Clubs
- Safety & Emergency Services
- Volunteering
- and more…
Max Class Size: 100
Location: R.H. Johnson Recreation Center
Cost: $10, includes lunch
Upcoming sessions: Nov. 6
TORCH 3
The Future
Prerequisite: TORCH 1 and 2 or previous TORCH Citizens Academy graduate from within the past 5 years.
Did the two other TORCHES ignite your interest to pursue a leadership position in Sun City West? Finish your journey with this two-day program designed to prepare Sun City West’s future leaders.
Topics Covered
- Roles and responsibilities
- Meeting etiquette & procedures
- Current events
- Communication skills
- Behind the scenes tours
- And more…
Max Class Size: 20
Location: R.H. Johnson Recreation Center + tours at other facilities
Cost: $15, includes lunch & tours
Upcoming sessions: To be announced
Registration and Payment
Attend an upcoming TORCH by registering through the online form below. Payments for the programs/conferences you choose to attend are made in person with the RCSCW Scheduling Department, located in our Member Services office on the R.H. Johnson Recreation Center (19803 N R.H. Johnson Blvd, Sun City West, AZ 85375).
Notice: Your spot in a program/conference is not reserved until your payment is received.