Actually you can fly without an AMA license at an AMA charter club field. Per AMA web site:
"A non-AMA member may fly at a Chartered Club field and receive member liability insurance protection as long as he/she is flying under the direct supervision of a club-designated Introductory Pilot. The Introductory Pilot must hold a current AMA open membership license with the “Intro Pilot” classification. Supervised flights must take place at an AMA Chartered Club’s field, and must be closely supervised in a one-on-one relationship. The non-AMA member will have the same liability insurance coverage that other AMA members receive, solely while under the direct, one-on-one supervision of the Intro Pilot, for a period of 30 consecutive days starting from the first session. No other AMA benefits are provided to the non-AMA member.
Participation in this program is on a one-time basis only; an extension cannot be granted for any reason. This program covers
training activities only, and does not constitute permission to fly in any organized event of AMA members or clubs, sanctioned or otherwise. No AMA card will be issued to the non-AMA member during the 30-day introduction period."

This is a great way to get someone introduced to the hobby and gives them the opportunity to see if it is really worth it. "It is, believe me." Unfortunately most clubs are not aware of the Intro-Pilot program and therefore don't participate. Our club has 3 Intro Pilot instructors which is the max.

I have no problem with paying the AMA dues - not to mention that I also pay for my wife and 3 kids to have AMA licenses. Our club dues are $70 a year. The way I look at is I can pay a little now and have a lot of fun because the day is going to come down the road when I want be able to do this. Our youngest pilot is my 3 year old son that can already do loops on a buddy box and our oldest pilot is 83 and he is very active. Our club has been around for more than 20 years and we have never had an incident that required us to file an AMA insurance claim.

The other way to look at it is $58/52 weeks a year is only $1.16 a week. If I take my wife and kids out to eat and to the movies one time, that far exceeds $58 and guess what - it's over with within a matter of hours. $58 is for a year and I can guarantee you that you will have far more fun than the movies and eating out. I get more laughs joking around with the guys at the field and seeing how some of them fly than anything else...

Just my 2 pennies...