Offering 13 rooftop pickleball courts, the most of any Las Vegas resort, the Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas will host a three-day Nike Pickleball Camp led by nationally-ranked professional pickleball player Rick Witsken, Friday, March 14 through Sunday, March 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. each day.

Open to players 18 years or older and at any skill level (beginner, intermediate, or advanced), the weekend camp gives participants the option to attend one, two, or three days of pickleball lessons and play that are designed to address specific needs, increase knowledge of the game, and help improve play in a fun and friendly environment.

The Nike Pickleball Camp will be led by Rick Witsken, a top ranked senior pro and co-founder of the National Pickleball League (NPL). Previously world-ranked on the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) in both singles and doubles play and currently ranked #1 on the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Senior Pro Men’s standings, Witsken has won more than 100 senior and open pro medals and has served as director of over 50 camps. He currently hosts the “RipSken Pickleball” podcast and posts instructional videos online via the Midwest Pickleball club. He also founded the first public scholastic middle school pickleball team at Zionsville Middle School in Whitestown, Indiana.

The first day of the camp will focus on short and soft game skills, like dinks and drops. The second day highlights aggressive game skills, including drives, serves, returns, speed ups. The final day will culminate with strategy and positioning lessons.

All camp participants will receive a Nike Pickleball Camp t-shirt and prizes with their registration. They must bring their own pickleball paddle, athletic shoes, and water bottle. Upon arrival, all participants are evaluated by camp staff so that their personal instructional needs can be addressed throughout the weekend. Participants are grouped by ability first then by age per the camp director’s discretion, and adjustments are made as needed during camp.

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Located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas, the Plaza Hotel & Casino has partnered with the Southern Nevada charity, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, to launch Stay for a Cause.

Any guest who books a room at the Plaza Hotel & Casino for check-in prior to Dec. 31, 2025, via the Stay for a Cause hotel package will have 20 percent of the room rate automatically donated to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. Established in 1966, the nonprofit organization helps provide healing and hope to abused and at-risk children in Southern Nevada.

“The Plaza has previously held toy drives to benefit St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, and we wanted to expand our partnership this year,” said Gary Vickery, vice president of operations at the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “With Stay for a Cause, guests can enjoy a great vacation at the Plaza and make a difference in our community at the same time.”

“We are grateful to the Plaza for their generous support through this innovative program,” said St. Jude’s Ranch for Children CEO Dr. Christina Vela. “By choosing to stay at the Plaza, guests are not just enjoying the wonderful accommodations, but also contributing to providing healing and hope to abused, neglected, exploited, and/or homeless children. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Plaza and all the guests who choose to make their stay count for a greater cause.”

With more than 75 uncovered stalls available year-round at its equestrian facility, the CORE Arena, the Plaza Hotel & Casino is offering the stalls. for free to any horses that need to be temporarily rehomed due to the devastating wildfires in Southern California.

The 10 ft. x 10 ft. stalls are adjacent to the venue’s large dirt arena where owners can exercise their horses daily.

The Plaza will also offer complimentary feed, waterlines, clean up, and trailer parking onsite.

“The wildfires in California have been devastating, and when we learned how they are displacing horses, we saw a unique opportunity to help the animals and their owners who may have limited options to rehome them as they rebuild,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino.