[Justin Montois]

I'm trying to think of an example where "Fun" can meet professional almost seasmlessly and I have to say the best I can come up with (besides FIRST) would be Google. They are a great company and they have recently been voted the top company to work for in the country. Read these..

From the top ten reasons to work for Google

1. Lend a helping hand. With millions of visitors every month, Google has become an essential part of everyday life - like a good friend - connecting people with the information they need to live great lives.

2. Life is beautiful. Being a part of something that matters and working on products in which you can believe is remarkably fulfilling.

3. Appreciation is the best motivation, so we've created a fun and inspiring workspace you'll be glad to be a part of, including on-site doctor and dentist; massage and yoga; professional development opportunities; on-site day care; shoreline running trails; and plenty of snacks to get you through the day.

4. Work and play are not mutually exclusive. It is possible to code and pass the puck at the same time. Emphasis Mine

7. Good company everywhere you look. Googlers range from former neurosurgeons, CEOs, and U.S. puzzle champions to alligator wrestlers and former-Marines. No matter what their backgrounds Googlers make for interesting cube mates.

10. There is such a thing as a free lunch after all. In fact we have them every day: healthy, yummy, and made with love.

I think what I find inherently wrong with your post is that your term of "professional" is becoming old fashioned. Maybe dancing while playing with robots is exactly what professional should be. I love the atmosphere at the Regionals and it would be a shame if anything was to change.

It's not like kids are dancing while important speakers are talking, when it's time to be "professional" we are and when it's time to go crazy and have some fun, no one does it better then the kids in FIRST.