Visiting Information

If you’re already on your youth’s approved visitor list, you will likely not need to go through the visitor approval process again. In some cases, we may need to update your information.

If you’re not already on their list, fill out a “Request to Visit” form. Turn it in to your youth’s camp counselor. We use the information on the form to do a criminal background check.

Request to Visit - English

Request to Visit - Spanish

Please turn in the form at least two weeks before you hope to visit. This gives us time to process your request.

Your youth’s multidisciplinary team (MDT) will review your request and decide whether to approve it.

If you have an arrest or conviction, Riverbend managers will review your situation to decide whether to allow you to visit. If you have an active warrant, we will not let you inside.

Who May Visit Youth?

All visitors must get approval to visit first.

Typically, close and extended family and other supportive people may visit.

Visitors under 18 are able to visit if they are approved and they are supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.

All visits are by appointment only. You must make appointments by calling 547-663-8801, ext. 232.

If we think your clothing is disruptive or inappropriate, we will not let you inside. This includes:

Low-cut shirts or shirts that reveal your lower back or undergarments
Short skirts
Short shorts
Sleeveless shirts, spaghetti strap shirts, and tank tops
Clothing that is torn in inappropriate places
Fanny packs, money belts, or belts with compartments
Messages that promote drugs, tobacco, alcohol, violence, pornography, nudity, gangs, or prejudice, or are demeaning to others

These are the only items you may bring inside:

Current photo ID (required if you are 13 or older)
Automobile key and remote
Wallet
Feminine hygiene products
Medicine you need to stay alive, such as an inhaler (must be in original container)
Food or drinks to have during the visit (no glass containers, alcohol or cannabis products)
Pictures (staff will review them before giving them to your youth)
Basic items for an infant:

Diapers (no more than 5)
Small pack of wipes
One baby blanket
Empty plastic baby bottle (one per child)
Small amount of formula or sealed baby food (no glass containers)
Nursing mothers: Talk with your youth’s camp counselor about options.

Personal items for youth – These must be approved by Riverbend’s managers before you bring them. Staff will inspect all items before giving them to youth. Personal items may include:

Clothing
Hygiene products
DVDs, CDs, or media players

These items are not allowed inside the facility:

Weapons or potential weapons
Cellphones, mp3 players, and smart watches
Purses or briefcases
Backpacks
Cameras or audio/video recorders
Laptops, flash drives, or anything that connects to the internet
Illegal drugs or paraphernalia
Money for youth (must be sent by mail)
Glass containers
Prescription drugs, unless you need them to stay alive
Tobacco, marijuana, and vaping products (not allowed anywhere on the Riverbend grounds)
Alcoholic beverages or fluids containing alcohol

Consequences of Contraband

It is a Class C felony to provide contraband items to youth in custody or to bring those items into an OYA facility without authorization. (ORS 162.185)

You will have to clear a metal detector before you are allowed to enter Riverbend. This is to help keep all youth, staff, and visitors safe.
You may not give anything to youth during your visit except food or drinks.
Our staff are allowed to search you at any time when you are inside our facility.
If you do not follow the rules about what you may wear, we will not let you inside.
If you bring contraband into the facility, you will lose your visiting privileges. We will refer the incident to the Oregon State Police for investigation.

Make sure your clothing is appropriate for the visit. If you wear something that our staff feel is inappropriate, we will not let you inside Riverbend.

Check in at the main entrance with your photo ID. All visitors age 13 or older must show a photo ID, issued by the government or a school.

Do not bring inside anything that’s not allowed! Check the list of what items are allowed inside. Leave everything else at home or in your locked vehicle.

You will have to clear a metal detector. If you are not able to clear these, we will not let you visit. Exceptions can be made for metal implants.

If you are bringing items for your youth, you will need to give them to staff to be searched.

If our staff suspect that you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they will not let you inside the facility.

Once you are inside the security fence, please stay there until your visit is done. If you must leave, you will have to clear the metal detector again before coming back in.

Once you’re inside:

Riverbend visits happen in our large conference room. There are tables and chairs where you and your youth may sit together.

Do not give anything to your youth except food or drinks.

It’s OK to have brief physical contact with your youth. Please limit it to a short embrace at the beginning and end of the visit. Please don’t contact other youth or their families, other than a casual greeting.

Please act respectfully during your visit! Please follow staff instructions, use appropriate language, and keep your conversations at a normal volume. We work hard to create a positive, family-friendly environment for all youth and visitors.

Staff may deny you entry into Riverbend or make you leave for reasons related to facility safety or security. If you do not behave appropriately or you try to bring something in that is not allowed, we will ask you to leave and may not allow you to visit again.

In lieu of an in-person visit, youth are allowed to do video visits with families using Microsoft Teams. For more information on how to schedule a video visit, contact Leon Fuller, camp counselor, at 541-663-8801 ext. 232, or leon.fuller@oya.oregon.gov.

Guide to Microsoft Teams for families - English