I was heavily involved in a robotics project in college, it was my entry into software (and, the most fun I've ever had writing software!). I really miss it. R

I was heavily involved in a robotics project in college, it was my entry into software (and, the most fun I've ever had writing software!). I really miss it. Reading this made me jealous of these guys, they look like they are having a lot of fun. I wonder: is it possible to do a competition like this for fun, somewhere in the US? Is anyone working on something like this purely on a recreational basis? Is there some kind of club I can join? I know about student competitions e.g. AUVSI but I'm not allowed to do those without academic status.