About two minutes of research on www.modelaircraft.org turned up two clubs within 20 minutes driving of Dawsonville with very reasonable rates. There's an electric only club that costs $75 a year, and an all planes club that costs $100. Yes, that's a significant investment if you're young and don't have a full time job (or even if your not!), but it will ensure that you can fly in a safe environment using a proper runway and with experienced pilots helping you. If you are under 18, you might inquire if they have a youth membership that is cheaper, and of course you should take advantage of the AMA youth membership as well.

You might think that the clubs are gouging you or just trying to be elitist with their dues, but if you've priced land lately, looked into getting a contractor to level and build a runway, and figured up what it costs to mow the 10+ acres of land that a flying field needs to maintain you'll find that the dues are generally a bargain. I can honestly say that the help I've gotten from guys in my club have saved at least two airframes, and maybe more. That's worth more than the $100 I pay to be a member there every year. And I'm now working on learning to fly pattern and getting some instruction on that, which I simply couldn't have done any other way.

If your buddy just wanted to put a plane together and take it outside and destroy it, then sure, he doesn't need a club. Plenty of guys want to do just that and they have a blast with it. But if either of you actually want to do this hobby and become competent RC pilots flying good performing planes, the club is the way to go.