I've been a member of a camera club in Bristol for a couple of years now and find it really enjoyable.
We have competitions each year which are categorized as mono prints, colour prints and projected images. It get's you out there taking pictures for a purpose (other than for a course!) and you receive good critique (well most of the time) from a judge who scores each print with prizes for highly commended and then 3rd, 2nd and then 1st.
I won best newcomer last year and projected images and 2nd in mono.
I'm hoping my new found techniques will give my photos even more zing to claim a few more bits of silverware this year, fingers crossed!
If you're not a member of a club why pop along to your local CC and give it a go?