A match is a small wooden or cardboard stick with a head originally made from white phosphorous, but now more commonly made from sesquisulfide of phosphorous. (White phosphorous is poisonous, and little kids were sucking the tips.)
I know a secret to make your wooden matches waterproof. (This doesn't work with cardboard matches, however, as they get soggy when exposed to water.)
Get a really wide candle. Light the wick and let it burn for a few minutes - enough to allow a small puddle of liquid wax to develop. Dip the matchhead in the wax, pull it out, and let the wax run off until you have a very thin film covering the head. Voila! Instant waterproof match.
Just make sure to keep the strikepad dry.