Is D of E really that important?

[FiveHoursSleep]

DD is 15 ( Y10) and doing her bronze and she's not feeling the love. She's quite academic, has a good range of other EC activities ( 2 instruments, dog agility/training, netball, Guides Senior Section, horses) and does quite a lot of babysitting and music tuition for paid work.
So she's busy and D of E is stressing her out. She wants to give it up, but is it worth persevering with?
She's not 100% sure what she wants to do, but has been keen on paramedical type stuff lately so is unlikely to be looking at getting competitive re uni.
DH went to Cambridge and he'd like her to have the opportunity to go there, but I really can't see her being that interested.

Unless it is relevant to the course extra curricular stuff is irrelevant for university applications ( except peopley courses like medicine and teaching)

I'd second what someone else has said about paramedic courses being very competitive to get onto. If she could volunteer with St. John's she'd be putting herself in a good position. If the volunteering with St. John's could then go towards her d of e and I'm sure her music lessons also would then its only the expedition. That's extra. Most kids in our school love that and it's the other things that they have to think of what to do for that puts them off.
I don't think d of e is the be all and end all but definitely think she needs to start with St. John's in the next year or so.

DS hated his Bronze expedition, the bag weighted like a dead man and one of his mates had forgotten the tent poles BUT: he pushed his schedule to fit in the new sports activity requirement, has fallen in love with the sport and is now continuing with it even though he's not doing silver. Just for that, it was worth it. But for Unis? Probably not a difference.

Pick your Universities very carefully and research what each values. They are all so different.

DS went to Cambridge. Didn't do D of E, voluntary work or extra curricular activities. He studied constantly, practised the piano for hours and listened to the news in French, Russian and German. His general knowledge is phenomenal and he was just what Cambridge wanted.

DD is at medical school and did endless volunteering, placements, hobbies and D of E.

Good luck to your DD. Trust her judgement. Sounds like she's doing enough as it is.

My eldest did Bronze, she had already started volunteering at Brownies before she started D of E. When it came to Silver and Gold she was quite busy with school work and Girl Guiding two nights per week.
In year 12 she volunteered in a charity shop on top of that.
She got into her first choice uni even though she didn't get attain her predicted grades thanks to her personal statement.