Fire building can be a lifesaving skill and it is important that senior Scouts master the skill set. Troop 683 will recognize Scouts who have demonstrated exceptional fire building skills with the Order of the Match. Award of the Order will be noted by the presentation of a wooden dowel suspended from a leather string that is to worn about the neck. The dowel will be three inches in length, the tip painted red. The stem color of the dowel will denote the level of the award – bronze, gold, silver. The award is immediate and may be worn at any time.

Bronze

• The Scout must possess -- and have in his possession -- the Firemen Chit.
  
• Light a fire with a single match.
  
• A homemade “birds nest” may be used but it must consist of all natural elements, i.e., it may not contain any accelerants, oils, or jellies that might otherwise sustain the burn. The Scoutmaster or his designated assistant will have final say as to the appropriateness of the material. A Scoutmaster’s decision is final.
• The fire must rise to a height of one foot (12 inches) and sustain itself for at least one minute at that height.
  
• If the Scout fails to light the fire on the first match and wishes to retest, the fire lay must be broken down, its material scattered (birds nest, tinder, kindling, and fuel) and be rebuilt with new material.
  

  Gold

  • The Scout must possess -- and have in his possession -- the Firemen Chit.
    
  • Light a fire with a single match
    
  • The fire must rise to a height of one foot (12 inches) and sustain itself for at least one minute at that height.
    
  • A “birds nest” may be used but it must consist of all natural elements found in the immediate outdoors. i.e., it may not contain any item made or brought from home. The Scoutmaster or his designated assistant will have final say as to the appropriateness of the material. A Scoutmaster’s decision is final.
    
  • If the Scout fails to light the fire on the first match and wishes to retest, the fire lay must be broken down, its material scattered (birds nest, tinder, kindling, and fuel) and be rebuilt with new material.
    

    Silver (Platinum)

    • The Scout must possess -- and have in his possession -- the Firemen Chit.
      
    • Light a fire without use of a single match, i.e., use a magnifying glass, flint and steel, wood sticks, etc. The Scoutmaster or his designated assistant will have final say as to the appropriateness of the starter. A Scoutmaster’s decision is final.
      
    • The fire must rise to a height of one foot (12 inches) and sustain itself for at least one minute at that height.