About California Weekly, Producers of the Walk Through programs

For over 25 years, California Weekly Explorer has specialized in presenting interactive history programs for fourth, fifth and sixth grade students. The late Rice Don Oliver created California Weekly Explorer for the purpose of enhancing the study of history in California’s schools by developing and providing unique materials and lively presentations.  Our presenters perform thousands of programs throughout California to over 75,000 students each year!

History of California Weekly Explorer, Inc

California Weekly Explorer was founded in October of 1979 by Rice Don Oliver and wife Betty in Orange County, California. Rice, known as Don by friends and family, had a love and passion for history but too often heard students complain that history was boring. This encouraged Don to take action. He felt that history was better “experienced” than read; it was more than a list of dates in a book.  He started to ask himself how he could bring his love and enjoyment of history to the students of California. If students could relive history they would be able to relate and connect to the people and events of our past. So, he set about developing a plan of making history fun.
He began with fourth grade curriculum by providing classrooms with fun, educational materials about California history and geography. These weekly Social Studies readers became a unique student newspaper known as “California Weekly Explorer”. Don also hosted workshops to help teachers make California history more interesting. Teachers then began requesting that Don visit their classrooms to teach their student directly.  In 1981 the first “in-school field trip” called “Walk Through California” was presented by Don Oliver to fourth grade classes in a few dozen locations throughout Southern California.

This was followed shortly after by a development of a program for fifth grade students called “Walk Through the West” Subsequent years brought more presentations as well as presenters. These presentations included “Walk Along El Camino Real” for fourth grade classes, “Walk Through the American Revolution” and “Walk With Lewis & Clark” for fifth grade classes and lastly, “Walk Through Israel” and “Walk Through the Ancient World” for sixth graders.

California Weekly Explorer currently provides one presentation each for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students: Walk Through California, Walk Through the American Revolution, and Walk Through the Ancient World. Due to the quality of the programs presented by enthusiastic and dedicated employees, the “Walk Throughs” continue to grow in popularity each year and are thriving throughout both Southern and Northern California school districts.

Our Mission Statement

At California Weekly Explorer, we provide history programs that motivate children's creativity, intellect, and ethics. We believe in educating creatively in order to kindle a love of history in future generations.

Our Presenters

California Weekly Explorer employs qualified personnel to present the hundreds of programs scheduled by schools each year. Our presenters are chosen because of their enthusiasm for educating and entertaining students.  In addition to academic training, they have a wide variety of communication talents that enable them to motivate and educate students in captivating ways. Their backgrounds are varied and include educational and the performing arts.  Each employee is knowledgeable in the subject areas covered by the programs and has completed additional company training in presentation and student management techniques. Every week, CWE receives praise from teachers, parents, and students concerning the dedication, energy and enthusiasm of its presenters. All employees are cleared through fingerprinting and background checks with the California Department of Justice as required by PC11105 for certification for criminal records check in compliance with AB 1610 and AB 1612.
If you are interested in employment with our company, please contact us and we will send you more information.

Legal Compliance/Insurance

CWE, Inc. complies with all local state and federal laws in employment practices and regulations. All employees are covered by WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION INSURANCE and certification is available upon request.  The company is covered by BUSINESS LIABILITY AND MEDICAL INSURANCE. All company and employee cars are additionally insured. All employees are cleared through fingerprinting and background checks with the California Department of Justice as required by PC11105 for certification for criminal records check in compliance with AB 1610 and AB 1612.

If your school/district needs to request contracts and/or insurance for scheduled programs, please fax/email to 714-247-2254 or call 714-247-2250